Primal Act  – Audio-visual Performance Art

Jens Bugay-Hougaard and Sandro Masai

Primal Act is an audio-visual performance that combines traditional Afro-Brazilian rhythms and ritualistic aesthetics with a jazz and dubstep inspired improvisational musical performance. It is an afrofuturistic concert, where a berimbau dialogues with electronic beats and effects. The afrofuturistic take in this show is the attitude to modernize African cultures through modern technology and creativity. It’s a way of bridging the past and the future. The primal meets the modern and they dance together. The audio and the visual aesthetics of this show are designed to create a new space for a better sense of presence and togetherness – a ritual. It’s designed for empathic relationships and pleasure.

Duration: 1 hour

The Artists:

Jens Bugay-Hougaard is a Danish composer and designer who has lived in London for many years, returning to Denmark in 2014. He holds a Bachelor degree of Art & Technology from Aalborg University and is at present pursuing a Master degree of Experience Design with focus on exploring co-creation and the aesthetics of experience and performance. He has worked and performed in collaboration with artists in Denmark and UK, primarily with music and interactive art, as well as arranging art exhibitions and events. Currently, he is working with music, sound design, visual design, experience design and interactive art.

Sandro Masai is a Brazilian performance artist, multimedia artist and interaction designer based in Denmark since 2007. He holds a Bachelor degree of Art & Technology from Aalborg University and a Master degree of Interaction Design from Kolding School of Design. He works with interactive artworks and theatrical performances. He often combines the different art forms. He has worked in collaboration with several international artists in many countries, such as Brazil, England, Germany, Sweden and Denmark. His performances include acting in movies, theatre plays, modern dance, butoh dance and performance art. Currently, he is engaged in practice-based research and academic writing within ‘art and technology’ and ‘performance studies’.

Disciplines: experience design, art and technology, performance art, interdisciplinary, ritual, afrofuturism, decolonization, improvisation, live music, dance, empathy.

Production History: Aalborg Surreal Festival – 1000fryd, Aalborg 2017.