50 drummers, 25 dancers, 2 video artists, and the science of particle acceleration - a collaborative experiment between Nadia Hironaka, Eugene Lew and Miro Dance Theatre (Amanda Miller and Tobin Rothlein).

Principles of Uncertainty was created as a working model for large-scale multimedia events, utilizing scientific theories and structures to generate performative experiments from various creative disciplines. The work is adapted to each location, and incorporates dancers and musicians from the community.

In 2007, a collaborative team comprised of video artists Hironaka and Rothlein, choreographer Miller, and sound designer Lew, traveled to Fermilab National Laboratory, a research institute that is home to the Tevatron, a particle accelerator with the highest energy levels in the world. This machine is used to smash infinitesimally small particles together at insanely high energy levels. Why? The quest for discovering new pieces of the world we live in - basically, to find the origin and meaning of the universe. Guided by the lab's leading physicists, the four collaborators created a scientific model for their own experiment, working with much larger particles - humans, a different means of acceleration - drum kits, and a control room in the form of immense video projections. As in any experiment, results are uncertain, but immense amounts of energy and new discoveries are to be expected. For more information visit www.principlesofuncertainty.org.

Highlights from the Philadelphia Inquirer review of Principles of Uncertainty:

... it seemed as though a thousand watchers were leaving or hovering there, in a space transformed by art.

... a celebration to multiply the pleasures of the already celebratory First Friday.

Collisions sent them (the dancers) reeling off course to sweep and stagger through onlookers. It reminded me of the 1980s Drastic Classicism of Karole Armitage and Rhys Chatham, taking upright, trained dancers and throwing them into an aural mosh pit.

Credits:

• Original Concept: Nadia Hironaka
• Music Director: Eugene Lew
• Choreographic Concept: Amanda Miller
• Video: Tobin Rothlein and Nadia Hironaka

Original Cast:

• Miro Dancers: Dana Dlugosz, Amanda Miller, Guillermo Ortega, Jil Stifel, and Paul Struck.
• Guest Dancers from the Philadelphia Community: Kiera Conners, Brujo de la Mancha, Jessica Dull, Tomas Dura, Yehwande Goodwin, Habiba, Kelsey Howard, Cazica Hunter, Jodi Netzer, Viji Rao, and Erica Saben

Premiered: September 7, 2007, Live Arts Festival, 2^nd and Race Streets, Philadelphia, PA

Principles of Uncertainty was funded in part by the Interdisciplinary Professional Development Grant, a funding initiative of the Pew Charitable Trusts, administered by the University of the Arts; and the Five County Arts Fund.