Do we live in a simulation? When does a simulation become a stimulation for creativity? These questions set the stage for a discussion on the role of simulation in art. Is art itself a form of simulation? What does it simulate, and how should we understand performative works? What happens when a performer interacts with an industrial robot—who is simulating what? How do emerging technologies expand human expression? And what does the future hold for the performing arts in this context?
A highlight of the debate will be the work of renowned artist Huang Yi, the guest of the Dialog-Wrocław festival. His unique artistic practice illustrates an inspiring path for the evolution of performing arts in the age of advanced technology.
Huang Yi
A Taiwanese dancer and choreographer who blends art and robotics, creating performances that explore the dialogue between humans and machines. His groundbreaking work “Huang Yi & Kuka” (2013, Ars Electronica; 2015, New York) was developed with the industrial robot KUKA and has been presented worldwide, including in Wrocław. Huang Yi describes dancing with a robot as “like looking in a mirror,” allowing human emotions to be transferred to machines. He leads Huang Yi Studio+, where humans and robots collaborate, develops technologies to broaden access to culture, and mentors emerging artists. Working in an open process, he presents fragments of works and adapts them in dialogue with audiences. His current project, “Voices. Objects. Puppet. 3 Elements,” will have its first international work-in-progress showcase in Wrocław, paired with an interactive discussion with viewers.
Prof. Katarzyna Sznajd-Weron
Theoretical physicist at Wrocław University of Science and Technology, applying statistical physics and nonlinear dynamics to social phenomena for over 25 years. She co-developed the widely cited Sznajd model of opinion formation (over 1,200 citations, Scopus) and has published more than 90 articles in leading journals, including Physical Review Letters, Expert Systems With Applications, Physical Review E, and Perspectives on Psychological Science. Since September 2025, she has led the newly established Department of Computational Social Science at WUST. She also serves as Rector’s Plenipotentiary for Academia Iuvenum, sits on the University Council, is on the EPS board, and is editor of Physica D: Nonlinear Phenomena. Her awards include the Minister of Science Award, the Young Scientist Award, and the Medal of the National Education Commission.
Prof. Maciej Szostak
Philosopher and lawyer, professor of law at the University of Wrocław. He holds a PhD in philosophy (1996), habilitation in law, criminology, and forensic science (2002), and became a full professor in 2015. He has completed research fellowships in Germany, Italy, and the UK. His work spans penal science, criminology, security studies, and philosophical anthropology. Since 2014, he has led the Department of Criminology and Security Studies at WPAE UWr, introducing new study programmes such as Criminology and Legal Criminology. Since 2022, he has coordinated the International Research Centre on Human Trafficking and Forced Labour under the patronage of the Netherlands Embassy. He is an advisor on national and international projects and has received numerous awards, including the honoris causa diploma “Professor Emilian Stancu” (2024).
Dr Anna Gryszkiewicz
PhD in Art Studies, theatre scholar, and sinologist, assistant professor at the Department of East Asian Cultures and Languages, University of Gdańsk. She studied vocal-acting in Gdynia, theatre at the Theatre Academy in Warsaw, and sinology at the University of Gdańsk. She has received the Jasmine Jiangsu Government Scholarship (China), Huayu Scholarship (Taiwan), and Research Grant for Foreign Scholars in Chinese Studies (Taipei, 2018). She has participated in EU research projects such as “Dealing With a Resurgent China (DWARC, China Horizons)” and “Theatre – Literature – Management” within the research group “Between. Pomiędzy.” Her interests include Chinese theatre, the intersections of science, technology, and performance, as well as the geopolitical and economic contexts of art.
Moderator:
Prof. Mirosław Kocur
Theatre director and anthropologist, professor at the University of Wrocław and the Stanisław Wyspiański Academy of Theatre Arts. From 2014 to 2020, he headed the Institute of Cultural Studies at the University of Wrocław, and in 2023, he was appointed Artistic Director of the Dialog-Wrocław International Theatre Festival. Previously, he led the Second Wrocław Studio, directing productions such as “Prometheus” by Aeschylus in his own translation from ancient Greek and “Elijah” by Martin Buber, performed in multiple languages simultaneously, including Sanskrit. He is the author of “Staropolska. Theatres of Identity” (2022), “Sources of Theatre” (2016), and “Under the Power of Theatre: Actors and Audiences in Ancient Rome” (2018), among others. As the chief editor of the series “Interdisciplinary Studies in Performance” at Peter Lang, he explores the intersection of art and science.
