1 Degree Celsius

Through her signature electrifying movement style, pulsating music and dynamic light design, Sung Im Her | Her Project’s exhilarating new production 1 Degree Celsius invites us to consider the question: How can art spark action in the face of the climate crisis? 

Featuring seven dancers, 1 Degree Celsius looks at the topic of climate change and the effects it is having on the environment. As with all Her’s work, music and light form an essential and innovative character in the production. A new musical score has been artistically inspired by data collected from rising atmospheric temperatures, and the lighting design is co-ordinated to the rising temperature of the earth. 

At the beginning of the creation process, Her considered the question: Is the way we live our daily lives truly sustainable, and what are the consequences of our choices? Modern life prioritizes efficiency—producing more, consuming more, earning more, and spending more. While urban living offers comfort and convenience, it also leaves behind an unsettling legacy for future generations. How can we change? What can we do? These small, seemingly powerless questions often vanish into the void, unheard. Whilst the title 1 Degree Celsius may seem insignificant, even the slightest shift in temperature poses a grave threat to all living things on Earth. In this production, Her asks us to consider how no action is too small—every gesture matters in shaping the future we wish to create.

About the Artist

Born in South Korea, Sung Im Her obtained a master’s degree in contemporary dance at Hansung University in 2003, at which point she already had been working with Ji-Gu Dance Theater for six years. In 2004, she moved to Brussels, Belgium to study at P.A.R.T.S., the acclaimed contemporary dance school led by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker. She worked with Les ballets C de la B, Needcompany, Abattoir Fermé, Opéra de Lille, before beginning to create her own work. She moved to the UK over 7 years ago and brings a unique triality of culture to the UK dance sector that is rare and unrivalled with such success.

In her work, Sung Im Her tries to strike a balance between a stripped-down, almost formal aesthetic and a content-driven narrative style. She creates work that references social expectation, beliefs and values & reflects that back to audiences, questioning or at times challenging our thinking.

Sung Im has been selected for development programmes Testbeds Catalyst, Aerowaves 21, Choreodrome at The Place. She has been commissioned by Seoul Performing Arts Festival, Counterpoint Arts and Korean Arts Council, and supported by Arts Council England, Seoul Foundation of Arts and Culture, Horizon Showcase and more.