Another dimension to see Body and the World
FILM
Another dimension to see Body and the World
FILM
Another dimension to see Body and the World
FILM
Another dimension to see Body and the World
FILM
Zelia ZZ Tan's Works explores presence, identity, and the future of performance through motion capture, XR, avatars, and immersive technologies. She directed REfract (2025), commissioned by West Kowloon Cultural District in Hong Kong and the Goethe-Institut, presented at Gray Area and Game Developing Conference in San Francisco. She collaborated with The Human Expression Dance Company on Strangely Familiar (2025) for Asia+ Festival and previously danced with City Contemporary Dance Company (2019–2023). Her works including Living Landscape, His Temple, and Accelerating Dimension and films have featured in 20 festivals. She co-founded TechDanceLab. She earned an MFA at CalArts (Theatre & Dance).
Upcoming
April 23rd - May 1st — The Half God of Rainfall in CalArts Mod Theater
video designer / programmer / cinematographer / choreograph
Directed by Kobina Hagan, Zelia will design dynamic visual environments for a mythic narrative blending Yoruba and Greek cosmologies. The work wrote by Inua Ellams, audiences follows Demi, born to Modúpé—a mortal Nigerian woman—and the Greek god Zeus. Demi rises to global basketball fame, exploring power, myth, and reclaimed agency.
https://www.zeliazztan.com/halfgodofrainfall
May 1 — World Music & Dance Festival, Persian Electric Ensemble at 9 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbyQK7hUmc0
May 4 — Theater Portfolio Review, Main Gallery, CalArts
May 12 — CalArts Expo (VR from 1-9 pm + Improv ensemble at 2 pm+ Disney Concert Hall Agave piece at 5:10 pm)
A 5 mins VR experience, Autonomous Memory directed and developed by Zelia, showcase in Expo Festival in CalArts on 13th May, and in NYU design portfolio review on 21st May 2026.
The project explores the paradox of human–machine where comfort and control cannot coexist. A semi-autonomous system that supports the rebuilding of agency after trauma. A participant rides inside a car through fragments of memory in Los Angeles. The journey moves from urban noise and conversation toward a more internal space, where safety and listening are re-experienced through shifting landscapes.
DM for more details.
May 21 — National Design Portfolio Review at John A. Paulson Center, New York
Zelia will present multimedia work including VR, visual design with talented designers from different universities. Welcome to connect, and register:
June 14-19 — AI, VR, & AR Expo AWE 2026 at Long Beach
Zelia will do interview and share her findings on LinkedIn. This is part of her performing research plan for coming 6 months, focus on sound and movement storytelling.
She is currently exploring residency and exchange opportunities to support a new research phase, which includes:
- A plant-body-technology performance project using real-time motion capture
- Workshop and studio engagement with students
- Developing her research writing and teaching practice toward a longer-term academic trajectory
