Royce Ng

What does «presence» mean when we are asked to keep our distance and new technologies allow us to be almost anywhere? Increasing virtual reality is changing our awareness and perception, says the Hong Kong multi-media artist Royce Ng. He talks about a «phantom presence», a form of being present much like the pain we feel in amputated limbs.

In his performances «Kishi the Vampire» (2016) and «Queen Zomia» (2019), we could already witness Ng's masterful handling of latest technologies to create virtual worlds. So far, he has been physically present on stage. In his latest creation, «Presence», he goes one step further: While he is physically in Hong Kong, he appears on stage through a surrogate performer whom he «inhabits». In the course of the three-part performance, various media start to malfunction; the objects and applied technologies increasingly gain the upper hand. The avatar on stage slowly disappears and gradually dissolves into the ambience. What is left is an illuminated dot and the uncertain question: Is this here and now? (zts)