A CELEBRATED choreographer is being inspired by the sun in a new performance to be staged at York Theatre Royal as part of York Mediale.

Organisers say it takes just eight minutes for sunlight to travel 93 million miles to Earth and Alexander Whitley is drawing inspiration from solar science research to explore the spectacular forces at work in the universe and illuminate our relationship with the star.

“With a specially created score by the electroacoustic music innovator Daniel Wohl and an installation of high-definition imagery from visual artist Tal Rosner, 8 Minutes captures our curiosity and wonder of this unimaginably vast subject,” said a spokesman, adding that the performance is planned for Saturday, September 29.

Several other events have also been announced for the Mediale, a new media arts festival of exhibitions, installations, live performances, dance, music and workshops which runs across the city from September 27 to October 6.

Alexander Whitley Dance Company is also involved in Strange Stranger, a new interactive performance-installation developed in collaboration with London based composer Beatrice Dillon, Italian Creative Technologist Luca Biada and Dutch duo, Children of the Light.

“The installation will comprise of a labyrinth of light towers that will define temporary spaces with distinct atmospheres, and use motion-tracking and biometric sensing technology to capture data from the activity that occurs within it, to influence its shape and mood. This live space will initially provide the setting for a performance by four dancers, whose movement will remain as a trace or ‘shadow’.” The venue will be announced later.

Mediale will also showcase the first ever UK ‘Chapter of Deep Lab’ - aimed at changing attitudes about contemporary digital culture, including the environmental impact of new technology, the role of underrepresented groups and the construction of identity online, which brings together cyberfeminist researchers, academics, artists, engineers and cultural producers in residential workshops, with installations to be showcased at York Art Gallery.