The Lady and the Unicorn is one of the most intriguing figures from a magnificent 15th-century series of tapestries, which can be admired in the Musée de Cluny in Paris. The artwork is considered an allegory of the five senses but consists of six tapestries. The final piece in this series, with the motto “à mon seul désir”, refers to the mysterious sixth sense—also known as the “sense of the heart”.

A historical tapestry symbolically depicts the dynamics of society at that time. HYPERSENSES
examines the sensory experience today. How do we cope in these overstimulated, hectic times? How do we preserve and safeguard our dignity, authenticity and serenity? How can we find mental balance, how do we keep our attention focused? How do we protect our critical thinking skills and: what role can technology play in this? And what about that “seul désir” to which the tapestry refers, that sole desire for that mysterious “sixth sense”?

Based on advancing insights in science and developments within the fashion and textile industry, the performance takes the form of multi-sensory music theatre. The audience is transported into a universe in which all the senses are stimulated. An ASMR voice evokes tingling sensations and gives whispered instructions that focus the viewer’s attention. Electro-acoustic live music and sonological effects resonate shamanistic, calibrating or becoming polyphonically entangled with gravity-defying, mesmerising 15th-century melodies. In the full spectrum of sensory stimuli, the taste buds are put to the test. Weaving, tufting, sniffing—our brains twist, and nothing is quite what it seems.

After their successful collaboration in 2020 with Laika around the creation of the alchemical laboratory BALSAM and countless series of performances at home and abroad, Zefiro Torna and Laika are joining forces again. Together with scientists and artists from various disciplines, they explore the compatibility between historicity and the present, between arts and crafts, science and technology.