Media Art Xploration (MAX), the New York-based nonprofit dedicated to fostering collaboration between artists, scientists and technologists, has announced the recipients of its 2026 MAXmachina Laboratory, an interdisciplinary development program that supports innovative projects at the intersection of art, science and emerging technology.
This year’s cohort includes acclaimed choreographer Peter Chu; multimedia artists Hongxi Li and Maria Helena Toscano; Cuban-Chinese cellist and composer SUUVI (Sophia Bacelar); New York-based architect and musician Kyter Steffes; and multidisciplinary artist and programmer Mimi Yin.
The MAXmachina Laboratory provides artists with commissioning fees, rehearsal space, technical expertise, design collaborators and access to scientific and creative advisors. Rather than serving as a traditional residency, the program functions as a production partnership, guiding artists through every stage of development—from initial concept to public presentation.
“Our goal is to help artists create ambitious work that might not otherwise be possible,” the organization said in announcing the 2026 participants.
The laboratory supports projects spanning dance, theater, music, immersive media and experimental performance, encouraging artists to push creative boundaries while exploring the ways science and technology shape everyday life.
The 2026 program centers on the theme “Making the Invisible Visible,” challenging artists to examine unseen systems and forces through multidisciplinary storytelling.
Among this year’s featured projects is Regenesis: Music for Living Systems, created by SUUVI and Kyter Steffes. The live performance combines solo cello with spatialized sound and multiple video projections to create an immersive exploration of living systems through music and visual art.
Award-winning choreographer Peter Chu will present Dancing with Black Holes, an ambitious dance work inspired by astrophysics. Featuring five dancers performing alongside a live musical score and original projection design, the performance translates the science of gravitational waves and black holes into an emotionally engaging theatrical experience.
Meanwhile, London-based multidisciplinary artist Hongxi Li joins Venezuelan-Colombian artist and designer Maria Helena Toscano to present Forest Echoes in Sandcastles, an immersive installation and time-based performance exploring themes of urbanization, environmental change and land ownership through sculpture, performance and multimedia design.
Returning MAXmachina artist Mimi Yin will also debut Unraveling Technique, a project that uses custom computer algorithms and high-speed motion capture to generate continuously evolving choreography, revealing hidden patterns within dance movement.
The artists’ completed works will premiere during MAXmachina Weekend, scheduled for November at BRIC Arts in Brooklyn. In addition to performances and installations, the event will feature MAXforum, a series of discussions bringing together artists and scientists to examine the role of innovation in shaping contemporary society.
Founded in 2018 by Artistic Director Kay Matschullat, Media Art Xploration has established itself as a leading incubator for experimental performance by combining artistic creativity with scientific inquiry. Through the MAXmachina Laboratory, the organization continues to provide artists with the financial support, technical resources and collaborative environment needed to transform bold ideas into groundbreaking public experiences.