We have the technology

This discussion reflects on obsolescence as a hauntology through the lens of an interdisciplinary, critical-creative, artistic practice of improvisation. The practice is grounded in contemporary dance, choreographic thinking, experimental sound and is distracted by relationships between the body and technology. The writing offers further exposition, speculating on and generating insights about improvisation in relation to dance and technologically mediated sound in live performance. Informed by cultural theorist Mark Fisher’s perspectives (2012) and French philosopher Jacques Derrida’s notion of hauntology (1994), this article reflects on relationships between hyper-capitalism and obsolescence. Those relationships are considered a terroir of affect acting constantly upon both practice and practitioner. Notions of improvision (not to be confused with the word ‘improvisation’ in this writing) are explored in relation to hyper-capitalism and obsolescence, revealing challenges around ageing, futurity and artistic production. Improvisation is itself proposed as a meta-resource for responding to issues that can emerge through improvising a dance–sound art form. From these reflections, a critical framework is developed, which at times threatens to overshadow the practice. Within that critical framework, a process of renovation emerges along with novel perspectives and discoveries about pre-existing materials, skills, practitioner knowledge and hope.