Simple Machines - Cologne Premiere

As part of the URBÄNG! Festival 2026

In Simple Machines, Ugo Dehaes demonstrates how he breeds robots and trains them as dancers. The starting point is a world governed by economic principles - the drive to make everything as efficient and cheap as possible. In response, Ugo has fired all his dancers and explores how he can breed and train his own robots.

The machines emerge from mad cocoons and crawl across the table like strange caterpillars. Some grow hair, others move about like little dogs. Using artificial intelligence, they develop their own dance performance - until eventually Ugo's job as choreographer becomes redundant. Simple Machines is an attempt to completely replace the human in the creative process.

After the performance, the audience can teach the robots new movements in the installation Arena - the first part of the cycle Forced Labor, which serves as the backdrop for Simple Machines.

Language: English | Wheelchair accessible | Performers: Ugo Dehaes