Jeremy Shaw Dances With the Divine

In the art scene of Berlin, Jeremy Shaw is making waves with his latest creation, "Phase Shifting Index" (2020). This seven-channel video installation, housed at Berlin's Hamburger Bahnhof, immerses viewers in a sea of glowing, rhythmic bodies dancing in unison. Shaw, a Canadian-born artist with ties to Vancouver, infuses his work with elements of spirituality and queerness, creating a unique blend of transcendent and trippy visuals.

Born in 1977, Shaw's religious upbringing and desire for a spiritual experience, despite his gay identity, have left their mark on his artistic expression. Over the years, his pieces have been exhibited in prestigious institutions such as the Centre Pompidou and Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, as well as international events like the 2017 Venice Biennale and Manifesta in 2016.

In "Phase Shifting Index," Shaw creates a kaleidoscope of seven dance troupes, each representing a different historic era, cultural context, and choreographic style. The dancers perform in distinct spheres within the gallery space, but when they come together, they dissolve into a dazzling display of energy before transforming into candy-colored pixels. This dissolution of body and spirit challenges viewers to question the nature of transcendence and the validity of spiritual experiences.

Shaw's work invites us to explore the liminal spaces between play and reverence, blurring the lines between the sacred and the secular. By incorporating elements of dance, technology, and religion, he creates an experience that is both captivating and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impression on all who witness it.