A DECADE OF IMAGINATION AND IMPACT: COUNTING DOWN TO SOZO’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY
Oct 4, 2024 | RIKA IINO
As we approach our 10th anniversary in 2025, we’re reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve had and the inspiring projects that lie ahead. This year has been particularly special, filled with moments and collaborations that embody our commitment to pushing boundaries in the arts and building an equitable future.
Here’s a glimpse of what we’ve been up to:
DREAM MACHINE EXPERIENCE: Over 9,000 attendees at Lincoln Center were captivated by this mixed reality (AR/VR/AI) journey by Nona Hendryx and a host of collaborators.
SNAKEHIPS: Talvin Wilks and LaJuné McMillian’s powerful installation graced both the Apollo and Jacob's Pillow.
CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS: The Seattle debut of this mesmerizing work by Marc Bamuthi Joseph and Wendy Whelan marked the beginning of a national tour.
Among our most exciting ventures is the launch of the SOZO Fellowship Pilot. This groundbreaking program focuses on artist sustainability and entrepreneurship, attracting over 450 applicants from 45 states. It’s a testament to our mission of cultivating spaces where artists can thrive as thought leaders and innovators.
EARTH.SPEAKS Doris Duke Award
We're honored to share that EARTH.SPEAKS, a multi-year project led by 𐓷𐓘𐓻𐓘𐓻𐓟 (Osage) artist brooke smiley and developed by SOZO, is a recipient of the Doris Duke Foundation’s inaugural Performing Arts Technologies Lab. This accelerator supports projects exploring digital technology's role in the performing arts. As one of just 20 awardees out of 700 applicants, EARTH.SPEAKS will bridge indigenous wisdom with modern technology, culminating in an innovative co-world-building experience.
Highlighting Our Projects and Partners
Our artists continue to push the envelope with their creativity and impact:
Vertical Dance and Migration: BANDALOOP’s FLOCK explores human and bird migration through vertical dance, multilingual music, and visuals. The project recently received the National Dance Project and NewMusicUSA awards.
Democracy in Motion: Carnival of the Animals, featuring Wendy Whelan and Marc Bamuthi Joseph, takes audiences on a poetic journey through democracy, with upcoming performances in Chicago and Palo Alto.
The Stigma of Criminality Haunts a Young Black Man in "FREE": The final installment in The Just and The Blind short film trilogy premieres at the SF Dance Film Festival on October 20. Created in tandem with the live production, the series has reached over 500,000 viewers across platforms and festivals, sparking critical conversations on the complexities of the justice system. Use SOZO discount code 15SOZO10.
Redefining Human Creativity and AI Innovation: Harry Yeff, aka Reeps100, was featured at Beyond the Human?: From the Metaphysical to the Physical, a USC symposium exploring the impact of AI on the arts. As a neuro-divergent artist and creative technologist, Reeps100 spoke on the evolving relationship between human expression and digital innovation.
Creating Outdoor Experiences Through Custom Musical Apps: The Holladay Brothers and SOZO are working with brands and institutions like IBM and NYU to activate spaces through location-tailored app experiences. The latest installment was released for the Strathmore campus in collaboration with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
Calligraphy Meets Robotics: Taiwanese choreographer Huang Yi’s Ink transforms ancient calligraphy into stunning holographic projections. It will be featured at Lincoln Center and the University of Texas at Austin in November.
Women in Hip-Hop: Ladies of Hip-Hop tours their new work, Black Dancing Bodies Project: SpeakMyMind, celebrating the resilience and creativity of women reclaiming their stories.
Music and Legacy: Composer Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR) premiered Agrarian and Liquid, inspired by Harriet Tubman’s legacy along the Erie Canal.
Sensory Storytelling: Bora Yoon’s PARHELION debuted at the Cabrillo Festival, showcasing her unique interplay of sound, light, and visual storytelling.