Gray Area Grand Theater: Anna Mikkola: ‘This Earth-Like Planet’

Join multimedia artist Anna Mikkola for a multi-sensory performance exploring the coexistence of synthetic and organic life forms.

Anna Mikkola’s ‘This Earth-Like Planet’ (2019-ongoing) is a performative reading that explores the porosity of bodies and ideologies as well as the coexistence of synthetic and organic life forms.

With a simulation of the Earth in parallel reality set as the backdrop of the performance, Mikkola’s reading weaves together multiple characters to reflect both on how futures are co-constructed in the present, and on the cycle of life and death. The text recounts the development of the first synthetic cell, gesturing towards assemblages of synthetic and biological life. Current and speculative science are brought into a dialogue to reflect on the role of sciences within a world under the pressures of environmental destruction

The performance includes an original music composition and sound design by Pekka Airaxin. The droning, undulating sonic environment is in an intimate conversation with Mikkola’s reading, which is set within an immersive video installation.

‘This Earth-Like Planet” was first performed at Rewire music festival in the Netherlands. It has since been shown, among others, at Somerset House Studios as part of their annual AGM program in 2020.