Ineffable Shape: The Shape of Language

How can we translate between vastly different lifeforms? This experimental collaboration between choreographer and imprographer Miri Lee and filmmaker Emilia Tapprest explores the ineffable in language and improvisation, both on-screen and on-stage. The film's sound design and music were composed by Andreas Tegnander.

This two-part event combines the premiere of the film Ineffable Shape with live improvisational performances, creating an interdisciplinary journey that delves into the intuitive, often indescribable connections between life forms and the boundaries of language.

Part One

Part One features an open improvisational music and dance performance, where artists communicate through spontaneous movement and sound. It offers a glimpse into the raw energy of unstructured, instinctual expression, capturing the magic of being present with one another without language.

Musicians: Camille Verhaak (clarinet), Miriam den Boer (violin), Tania Zountsa (saxophone), and George Hadow (drum)

Dancers: Edward Lloyd and Miri Lee

Part Two

Part Two presents the premiere of Ineffable Shape, accompanied by a live associative performance that recreates moments from the film in real time. Set in a speculative present, Ineffable Shape follows two candidates trained by an “imprographer” to interpret the rhythms, patterns, and nuances of a nearby field sparrow. Guided by the imprographer, they attune to another lifeform through tactile interfaces on their skin. What begins as an exercise in empathy provokes unexpected realizations about the "shape" of language.

Drawing from bioacoustics research and machine learning, Ineffable Shape explores the understanding that can emerge from intuition, improvisation, and nonverbal intelligence. The film invites us to rethink language and communication beyond the human realm, suggesting that similar "shapes" may recur in the communication of animals.

Film by Emilia Tapprest and Miri Lee

Composition: Andreas Tegnander

Poem by Frances Weilling

Musicians: Kate Moore (vielle) and Stefanie Janssen (voice)

Dancers: Edward Lloyd and Miri Lee

Join us for an evening that transcends traditional forms of communication, where movement and sound become universal languages, bridging the gap between beings. Experience the intersection of art and empathy, and discover the ineffable shapes that connect us all.

www.mirilee.nl

https://nvisible.studio/

Schedule

Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Part One (Improvisational Performance): 7:00 PM

Part Two (Film Screening & Live Performance): 8:00 PM

Ticket

Tickets are available for a donation of €5 to €20, allowing visitors to choose the amount that best suits their budget.

Our project is supported by a grant from Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst.

# **Ineffable Shape: The Shape of Language**

_How can we translate between vastly different lifeforms?_ This experimental collaboration between choreographer and imprographer Miri Lee and filmmaker Emilia Tapprest explores the ineffable in language and improvisation, both on-screen and on-stage. The film's sound design and music were composed by Andreas Tegnander.

This two-part event combines the premiere of the film _Ineffable Shape_ with live improvisational performances, creating an interdisciplinary journey that delves into the intuitive, often indescribable connections between life forms and the boundaries of language.

### **Part One**

Part One features an open improvisational music and dance performance, where artists communicate through spontaneous movement and sound. It offers a glimpse into the raw energy of unstructured, instinctual expression, capturing the magic of being present with one another without language.

*   Musicians: Camille Verhaak (clarinet), Miriam den Boer (violin), Tania Zountsa (saxophone), and George Hadow (drum)
    
*   Dancers: Edward Lloyd and Miri Lee
    

### **Part Two**

Part Two presents the premiere of _Ineffable Shape_, accompanied by a live associative performance that recreates moments from the film in real time. Set in a speculative present, _Ineffable Shape_ follows two candidates trained by an “imprographer” to interpret the rhythms, patterns, and nuances of a nearby field sparrow. Guided by the imprographer, they attune to another lifeform through tactile interfaces on their skin. What begins as an exercise in empathy provokes unexpected realizations about the "shape" of language.

Drawing from bioacoustics research and machine learning, _Ineffable Shape_ explores the understanding that can emerge from intuition, improvisation, and nonverbal intelligence. The film invites us to rethink language and communication beyond the human realm, suggesting that similar "shapes" may recur in the communication of animals.

*   Film by Emilia Tapprest and Miri Lee
    
*   Composition: Andreas Tegnander
    
*   Poem by Frances Weilling
    
*   Musicians: Kate Moore (vielle) and Stefanie Janssen (voice)
    
*   Dancers: Edward Lloyd and Miri Lee
    

Join us for an evening that transcends traditional forms of communication, where movement and sound become universal languages, bridging the gap between beings. Experience the intersection of art and empathy, and discover the ineffable shapes that connect us all.

[www.mirilee.nl](https://www.mirilee.nl)

[https://nvisible.studio/](https://nvisible.studio/)

### **Schedule**

*   Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
    
*   Part One (Improvisational Performance): 7:00 PM
    
*   Part Two (Film Screening & Live Performance): 8:00 PM
    

### **Ticket**

Tickets are available for a donation of €5 to €20, allowing visitors to choose the amount that best suits their budget.

Our project is supported by a grant from Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst.

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