Simon LAROCHE

• TOP >
• Residency Program >
• Invited Creators >
• Simon LAROCHE

Simon LAROCHE

Participating Project	Exchange Residency Program (Creators from abroad)
Activity Base	Montreal
City / Place stayed	Tokyo
Period	2025.5 - 2025.7

Purpose of the residency

Looking at animals as commodified bodies in the context of late capitalism, I wish to pursue my ongoing artistic research at the intersection of art, technology and robotics. My goal is to conceptualize and advance the development of a new series of artworks that involve hybrids of animal and human representations, using sculpture, media and robotics. Drawing from chimeras in japanese folklore, animism and shinto, I will develop a concept around the themes of “otherness”, broach ideas of digital intertwining and contemporary surrealism.

Plan during the residency

• research and develop the theme; visit robot labs, cafés, hotel; attend the world expo in Osaka and visit the Future of Life pavilion (prof. Hiroshi Ishiguro)
  
• establish connections with Japanese designers, artists and university affiliates working in art, design and technology.
• identify local maker spaces or digital fabrication labs to have access to additional resources if needed and mingle with the local community.
• take butoh classes and engage in discussion/reflections on the animation of the body;
  
• spend a large amount of time refining the aesthetic and design of the project through an iterative process.
• build at least one prototype.

Activities during the residency

My current research focuses on transcopy, dissociation, and commodification. During the residency, I explored yōkai culture, the history and practice of butoh dance, as well as puppetry and robotics, to lay the foundation for a new robotic installation. Various material, conceptual and technical investigations were undertaken, including:

• readings on sociology, art and cultural theory related to the theme;
• experimentations with a taxidermist and leather shops;
• digital fabrication of robotic hybrid prototypes;
• online class on the history of Butoh at Keio University;
• butoh workshops with various teachers;
• visits to galleries, museums, symposiums related to robotics, AI and art;
• extended exchanges with Prof. Takashi IKEGAMI and participation in his researcher lab meetings at the University of Tokyo;
• visit of EXPO25 and behind-the-scene encounters with Prof. Ishiguro’s clone and other androids at Osaka;
• visit of Osaka’s National Bunraku Theater puppet workshop.
• development of relationships within a community of music and dance performers in Tokyo.

Outcome of the residency

This residence came at a point where I needed to dedicate an extended period of time to reflecting and experimenting on my art practice as a whole. This came at an important transitional moment in my professional and personal life, and was much fruitful in that sense, regardless of the explicit or concrete outcomes.

I deliberately came in with a very open mind and had decided to be permeable to whatever would come my way during those three months. Of course, I also had specific objectives in mind. And so, I was able to pursue a primary goal (lay the foundations for a new robotic artwork), and multiple secondary ones (initiate contact with potential collaborators / communities in Japan, explore butoh dance as inspiration for another project and explore potential dissemination opportunities).

Here are some of the outcomes of this residence:
• Following my research at TOKAS, I am developing an installation artwork that might be realized in multiple stages through a period of 2 years. Discussions with a curator in Québec for an exhibition are now under way.
• I continue to foster the relationship with some of the researchers I have met and I am looking to be part of a research creation project on the intersections of robotics, art and artificial life.
• Throughout the fall of 2025, I will finalize a collaborative choreographic and digital media performance production, for which some of my learnings from Butoh will be useful. I intend to re-activate my contacts in Tokyo then to look into showing opportunities in Japan. 

Creator Information