Shakti grew up with the rich cultural heritage of Japan and India. She studied yoga with her father and dance with her mother (the first Japanese woman to introduce Indian dance in Japan). While receiving her MA in Indian Philosophy at Columbia University, New York she also studied modern dance with Martha Graham.
Upon returning to Japan, Shakti developed a unique hybrid form of dance blending Eastern dance traditions with Western jazz & contemporary dance resulting in an erotic, exotic and shocking effect. She has been performing worldwide to great critical acclaim. Her unique mesmerising performances have touched and tantalised audiences everywhere.
More information on Shakti at - https://www.shakti.jp/about-shakti
Jorg Hacker is the chief scientist of Airborne Research Australia, Australia's only National Research Aircraft Facility engaged in using and operating aircraft for atmospheric and environmental research.
His research work spans a wide area with special emphasis on the atmospheric boundary layer and the development of innovative instrumentation and measurement strategies using airborne platforms.
Jorg does the lighting design, sound operation and projections for Shakti's shows.
Shakti flies with Jorg in ARA's reasearch aircraft and operates all the instruments such as the lidar, hyperspectral scanner and cameras.
Shakti and Jorg also run The Garage International, an arts management venture that manages venues in various Fringe Festivals of the world. During the Adelaide Fringe, TGI runs the Adelaide Town Hall and programmes the space with international and local artists.
Together, as a team in their private and professional lives, they work in the fields of art and science.
