White Space: a fascinating installation that transforms negative space into a meeting place where strangers connect.

At its heart, a monolith of intense blue and white light rotates on its axis, casting compositions of monochromatic light and generative music that shift and dance among the audience. Responding to people’s postures and positions, the sculpture becomes an instrument, played simultaneously by everyone present.

Only by aligning their positions and synchronising their postures can visitors reach the installation’s climax: illuminating the emptiness that separates them and transforming negative space into White Space.

White Space is an interactive light installation by artist Matthias Oostrik, who is responsible for the concept, software and production. Developed under the Harmonic Dissonance Collective, it premiered during Amsterdam Dance Event – Arts & Culture 2026, in collaboration with ICK Dans Amsterdam.

Composer Marcel Wierckx created the generative music, drawing on his extensive experience in audiovisual composition and live electronics. As a close collaborator throughout the process, he also helped shape the interaction and concept. The ingenious technicians at Yens & Yens constructed the rotating monolith: the idea is simple, but the technology behind it is anything but. Neuroscientist Suzanne Dikker’s research into human synchrony was also a constant source of inspiration.

There will be a pop-up performance around White Space by ICK-Next dancers (junior company) on Thursday 22 October, and again at the premiere on Friday 23 October.

The programme also features SMILE, Oostrik’s AI installation, which transforms your portrait into an eerily perfect version of yourself.