From October 8, 2024, until February 2025, you can visit the Virtual Dance Carousel at Rozet Arnhem, showcasing a unique collaboration between Introdans, Rozet, and Fillip Studios. Visitors of all ages can explore the world of dance in an accessible way through an interactive Augmented Reality (AR) experience. This installation brings real Introdans dancers to life, seamlessly combining a physical space with digital technology. Using iPads or their own smartphones, guests can discover the magic of dance interactively.
With this activity outside the theater and in the heart of the city of Arnhem—at a location visited by more than two thousand people daily—Introdans aims to inspire as many people as possible to discover dance. The Virtual Dance Carousel immerses visitors into the world of dance and The Nutcracker, Introdans’ family show, which will be performed in theaters starting in December 2024. Introdans partnered with Rozet and Arnhem-based Fillip Studios, who designed the carousel and the digital content. Fillip Studios had previously created the Experium for Introdans, an interactive context program in theater foyers. If the project is successful, the Virtual Dance Carousel will be renewed annually and may travel to other libraries across the country.
The Virtual World of Dance
When you step into Rozet in Arnhem, a large object—a carousel diorama—immediately catches your eye. This round object, which you can walk around, contains several small “rooms.” Each room represents a different space, such as the dance studio, the dressing room, the set design studio, the costume workshop, and the theater. By scanning the images with an iPad or phone, a digital world comes to life through Augmented Reality (AR). This way, you are drawn into the virtual world of Introdans, and the magic of The Nutcracker comes alive. As a viewer, you can choose from different options to shape your own story. Using the AR technology on the iPad, you can get an up-close look at what happens and how a dance performance is created.
Introdans and Rozet
The collaboration between Introdans—known for its artistic, high-quality, and innovative dance performances—and Rozet, the cultural and educational heart of Arnhem, literally brings dance closer to the people of Arnhem and its surroundings. Both organizations share a mission to make art and culture accessible to a wide audience. By placing the Virtual Dance Carousel in Rozet, more than two thousand daily visitors—ranging from children and young people to adults—are reached.
Roel Voorintholt, artistic director of Introdans, says: “With the Virtual Dance Carousel, we want to make dance accessible to everyone—children, young people, and their families—especially those who rarely or never come to the theater. Our collaboration with Rozet and Fillip Studios makes this possible, and thanks to the central location in the heart of Arnhem, we can introduce as many people as possible to the world of dance. After our VR experience VRtuoos VRtueel last year, we are now taking a new step into the virtual world.”
In addition to the Virtual Dance Carousel, Rozet will display relevant books and materials from its collection to help visitors further explore the world of dance, art, and culture. “At Rozet, it’s all about connection. Our collaboration with Introdans, combining dance, art, and technology, demonstrates how we can reach and inspire many people in Arnhem with joint projects,” says Jenny Doest, executive director of Rozet.
On Tuesday, October 8, at 4:00 PM, the festive opening of the Virtual Dance Carousel took place in the main hall of Rozet in Arnhem. Everyone was warmly invited to experience this interactive event! After the official opening, you can immediately dive into the Virtual Dance Carousel and explore the magical world of The Nutcracker.
The Virtual Dance Carousel will be on display daily at Rozet in Arnhem from October 8, 2024, until February 28, 2025. For the first three months, the carousel will be located in the central hall of Rozet. After that, the installation will move upstairs to the children’s book section. Admission is free! The Virtual Dance Carousel was made possible by a contribution from Cultuurloket DigitAll.
Credits
The Virtual Dance Carousel is an idea by Introdans in collaboration with Fillip Studios
Concept, design & direction Fillip Studios
Partner Rozet
Script Introdans – Jurriën Schobben, Pieta Koopman, Adriaan Luteijn, Roel Voorintholt, Fillip Studios
Presentation Jurriën Schobben
Dance Vérine Bouwman, Floris Puts, Alberto Villanueva Rodríguez
Extras Helma Jansen Venneboer, Elise Verhoeven, Kamilla Satarova, Lotte Bruinink
The Virtual Dance Carousel was made possible thanks to a contribution from Cultuurloket DigitAll