THE DOG DAYS ARE OVER was hailed as a revelation when it premiered in 2014. Nieuwsblad raved:
“Open all pores to this gem. And above all, don’t forget to breathe.” The production marked Jan Martens’ breakthrough, touring
internationally more than 100 times. Now, in 2026, Martens and GRIP bring this landmark work to Hong Kong with a brand‑new cast.
Inspired by photographer Philippe Halsman’s famous observation that jumping strips away masks to reveal the true self,
Martens builds a radical choreography around relentless repetition. Eight dancers are propelled through complex, mathematical, and
exhausting sequences in strict uniformity. As they strive for perfection, inevitable faltering exposes raw vulnerability and
humanity.
This powerful work confronts audiences with urgent questions: Where is the line between art and entertainment? How do we respond
to performers’ endurance and suffering? Is contemporary dance a spectacle for the elite? A decade later, these
provocations remain strikingly relevant. THE DOG DAYS ARE OVER invites audiences not just to watch, but to
reflect—transforming passive witnesses into active participants in a visceral exploration of compassion, endurance, and the very essence of
performance.
Performers / Cast
Théo Brice aka Symbiose
Inspired by the mycelium, Symbiose’s work grows in symbiosis with its environment to encourage collective elevation.
It's a polymorphic & synesthetic practice that combines creative, technical and sensory aspects. It uses new
technologies to build immersive and interactive experiences.
He integrates new technologies and science to craft immersive, poetic, and impactful experiences.
Antoine Chretien aka IUNI
Composer and producer, with his piano and machines, IUNI immerses his audience in a spellbinding dream. A
fusion of acoustic and electronic music, inspired by Ólafur Arnalds, Kiasmos and Nils Frahm, IUNI
creates delicate music imbued with infinite sensitivity.
Phygital Studio
Phygital Studio is an ode to nature and innovation.
They use art and new technologies to present nature in a new way, to bring
magic back to the world around us.
They believe in a future where humans use technology to better inhabit and consider the world.
Mission:
To share sustainable, eco-responsible knowledge through art and science.
To inspire younger generations with desirable futures.
Performers:Théo Brice (Symbiose), Antoine Chretien (IUNI)
