Do Robots have emotions? – Manolis Saridakis

Greece

“The performance you’re going to see has to do with robots. I chose this topic because I feel like a robot sometimes too,”
notes Manolis Saridakis about his first choreography – a quite startling work thanks to its disarmingly incisive concept.
By means of his disarmingly incisive concept, Manolis Saridakis touches upon the exceptionally timely topic of robots, weaving critical issues concerning control, as well as both artificial and emotional intelligence, into his own endeavors with regard to autonomy and freedom of expression. The choreographer himself appears on stage, programing each “robot” to perform – both individually and all together – a dance of their own. He then transports them into a virtual bar/club setting where he gives a new command: “feelings on demand”! On the dance floor, Screwdriver cocktails in hand, each robot will tackle the emotion it has been assigned, upending their interrelationships in the process, and leading us into the climactic scene of this sci-fi adventure by the programmer and choreographer Manolis Saridakis.
The piece by Manolis Saridakis was selected for Onassis New Choreographers Festival 2022 – ONC9. The professional development of artists with learning disabilities has been supported in various ways by Europe Beyond Access, but this is the first time such a commission and presentation are being undertaken in Greece.
The dance piece “Do Robots have emotions?” by Manolis Saridakis was created as part of the Europe Beyond Access program, and within the framework of Onassis Stegi’s ongoing commitment to issues of accessibility when it comes to the arts in general, and dance in particular. The fact that persons with disabilities still do not have access to professional dance training in Greece renders the support this program provides artists particularly important. Medie Megas, Dancer, choreographer, and dance/choreography history teacher mentoring Manolis Saridakis during the creation of this work during the Europe Beyond Access program.

Choreographer’s note
The performance you’re going to see has to do with robots. I chose this topic because I feel like a robot sometimes too. I conducted an interview and did research to learn about robots: about how they move and how they help people. I had a few questions: Do robots have a mechanical heart? Is a robot brain the same as a human brain? Are robots ever bored when they do chores? Are robots doing whatever they want or whatever humans want? I hope seeing my performance makes you happy.
–Manolis Saridakis

“Can Robots Develop Feelings?” is the first performance ever choreographed in Greece by a person with learning disability and autism.
The performance will follow a presentation in the form of an interactive activity focusing on how the interaction of dance and disability is perceived in Greece and abroad. Personal experiences, images and common references will be shared amongst the creators themselves and the audience looking back into the history, exploring the impediments and most significantly the invaluable importance of accessibility of disabled persons to the art of dance and choreography.
Who can be qualified as a dancer and who as a choreographer? What is having accessibility to art actually entitled to? And last but not least, what kind of alterations need to be made for the art of dancing to embrace everyone regardless any kind of limitation?
The evening will finish with an open discussion during which all attendees will have the chance to pose their own questions relevant to the performance and the presented matters.

Credits
Concept: Manolis Saridakis
Choreography: Manolis Saridakis, in collaboration with the dancers
Dancers: Olympia Antonena, Eirini Kourouvani, Christos Christakopoulos, Manolis Saridakis
Dramaturgy – Mentoring: Medie Megas
Costumes: Marilena Kalaitzantonaki
Lighting Design: Konstantinos Bethanis
Make-up: Alexandra Rentzou
Original Music: Christos Christakopoulos
Additional Music: “Techno Eskalation!!!” by Max Minimal also features in the performance
Executive Producer: Christos Papamichael – Liminal,
Executive production on tour: Polina Manolia – Liminal
Production Manager, Coordinator of Artistic Activities for Europe Beyond Access: Christina Liata – Onassis Stegi
European Programs Coordinator: Dora Vougiouka – Onassis Stegi
Special thanks to: Niki Saridaki, Fotini Gioti, Giannis Makris, Manolis Andriotakis, Rodia Vomvolou

Production Credits
Commissioned & Produced by: Onassis Stegi Athens
via Europe Beyond Access, a project co-funded by the Creative Europe program of the European Union

Supported in touring by: Onassis Stegi’s “Outward Turn” program

Duration: 20 min.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/731688663/23ec28085e

Manolis Saridakis

Manolis Saridakis lives in Athens, is 35 years old, and works in dance, theater, and music. He received his training as a contemporary dancer and choreographer as part of Onassis Stegi’s iDance, Europe Beyond Access, and Unlimited Access programs, held both in Greece and beyond, alongside contemporary and African dance workshops given by the Liminal arts organization. Manolis has appeared in Onassis Stegi productions (“Sweet Abyss”, “Deep Fusion Butterfly Band”, and more) and in a large number of theatrical performances staged by ARTOGETHER (Art of People With and Without Disabilities). He starred in the documentary film “I Am a Dancer” directed by Stavros Petropoulos, and produced by Onassis Stegi. He is studying découpage at the Theotokos Foundation, music at the National Conservatory of Athens, and qigong at the “Spring of the Young Forest” School for Martial Arts.