Interview: Symoné of Nullspace Motel
Symoné is an interdisciplinary artist based in the UK. Her artistic work spans from circus and cabaret, game designing and movement arts. Her latest work, Nullspace Motel, is an experimental blend of gaming and dance, which focuses on themes of identity, memory, and the body. You can read our review of Nullspace Motel here.
I had the pleasure to chat to Symoné about Nullspace Motel and her creative process.
What inspired you to create this show, and have you discovered anything about yourself in the process?
There were quite a few origins and motivations for Nullspace Motel. In 2023, I knew I wanted my next piece to be about the unconscious, and that it had to be interactive. It made sense that it wasn’t going to be a passive audience watching dance or circus.
I conducted one-to-one experiences, part meditation and part guided conversation, about memory and the body, and those experiences influenced Nullspace Motel as it exists today.
I’ve also had some powerful and emotional dreams over the years, specifically one where I fell in love with a character in my dream. Without too much force, these things naturally come up in the work.
The dancers embraced a lot of somatic movement scenes and prompted the use of improv throughout the show - it felt really important for the movement to not be overly choreographed. Technology is recognised for its intelligence, yet we often forget that the body has its own.
As for what I’ve discovered about myself, I’ve developed a deeper patience and a resilience working with movement and technology. I feel a deeper connection and respect for my own body.
What do you wish the audience came away with after seeing the show? Anything in particular you want people to reflect on, and why?
There’s quite a platter of themes, visuals, and moods in Nullspace Motel and I hope the audience are able to have a deeper reflection of themselves, even if uncomfortable. I hope the journey is emotional. I hope the audience feels the pressure to work things out with the game.
Admittedly the subtext of the show centres around people’s lack of understanding of the human mind and I wanted to highlight this with Nullspace Motel.
Nullspace Motel Photography by John Hunter
I loved the multi-linear storytelling, with the interlacing of gaming, dance, and words. What made you choose these particular mediums for this story?
When I started thinking about this project in 2023 and found its central theme, it felt clear in my mind that it needed to be interactive! A playable experience felt right, along with a non-passive audience. I also knew right away that the audience would not control the main character nor the performers.
However, I am a game developer. It would be worth highlighting there is quite a lot of intentional subversion in the game design. I knew I didn’t want to be a traditional game as it needed to relate to the dream and philosophy of the piece. Games have specific expectations and I didn’t design this for gamers.
If you come with the expectations of a gamer, the show may not be for you. I ask that audiences come in with a curious mindset.
I knew I didn’t want the movement, the game, or the writing to be too literal. The mind doesn’t need linear storytelling. This wasn’t supposed to feel too structured.
I saw the show as a celebration of our bodies, which sustain us and allow us to experience life. Are there any practices you implement in your days to honour the body?
In Nullspace Motel there is improv and somatic movement throughout. I also work between circus and movement arts as my other job. In my downtime, I’m extremely drawn towards fire arts (sword dance and fire hooping), cold water swimming and pole dancing.
You're an interdisciplinary artist, which I really admire. Do you see creativity and art as an 'escape' from real life, or as a filter through which to understand it?
I have two strands to my practice: circus and interdisciplinary. The latter definitely feels a way for me to process and understand parts of myself and the world.
You can stay up to date with Symoné’s work and upcoming performances on her website and her instagram.
Written by Roberta Guarini