‘This gap opens up of doubt and scepticism about everything’: Jess and Morgs confront the politics of deepfakes

Jess and Morgs, the acclaimed dance duo known for their innovative use of technology in storytelling, have produced a new work that examines the politics surrounding deepfakes. The piece, titled Deepfake, employs virtuosic movement and green-screen effects to recreate the theatricality of high-stakes television interviews, blurring the line between reality and fabrication.

In the performance, a beleaguered politician is confronted with a fabricated claim, stating that he participated in a pagan ceremony involving minor members of the royal family. The statement, clearly false, is delivered by an unseen interviewer, who appears to have the politician on the defensive. The piece is set in an east London dance studio, yet the scene feels uncomfortably familiar, raising questions about the ease with which we might accept such falsehoods as truth.

The duo, comprising Jessica Wright and Morgann Runacre-Temple, known collectively as Jess and Morgs, has a history of blending contemporary themes with ambitious technology. Their 2022 work, Coppélia, reimagined a 19th-century ballet with a cautionary tale about artificial intelligence and unchecked technological enthusiasm. Their accolades include a successful run at the Paris Opera Ballet earlier this year, further cementing their reputation as innovative creators.

Deepfake serves as a thought-provoking exploration of the challenges posed by deepfakes in our increasingly digital world. Through their unique blend of dance and technology, Jess and Morgs invite audiences to question the authenticity of information presented to them, highlighting the urgent need for critical discernment in the face of increasingly sophisticated manipulations.