LIKE
LIKE is a new commission by artist and choreographer Nikima Jagudajev, presented by Scuola Piccola Zattere in Venice from 7 May to 11 October 2026. The work is an interactive digital environment that weaves together the languages of cinema, video games, and documentary, inviting the audience to take an active role in the development of the narrative.
The project stems from Basically, a long-term research initiated in 2020 and conceived as a “choreographic game” in which performers and viewers take part in the shared construction of a world. Through music, food, mythopoetic cards, garments, and dance phrases, Jagudajev explores forms of sociality grounded in playful and creative gestures. At the core of the project is the concept of “re-schooling”, which reconsiders youth culture as a space capable of subverting institutional norms and models.
In LIKE, these elements are translated into the language of video games: within a virtual high school, six characters—the digital counterparts of the performers—move through an open narrative shaped by exploration, dialogue, and everyday actions. Participants control an avatar and contribute to shaping the story, without a predetermined path.
Alongside the installation, a series of textile works extends the participatory dimension of the exhibition: embroidered panels evoke informal and collective languages, while a large quilt invites the public to leave a trace, transforming the exhibition space into a shared site of memory and relation.
Credits
End credits
Created by Nikima Jagudajev Producer Salomon Leonard Poutsma Technical director Julie Kern Donck Cast Amina Szecsödy, Laura Stellacci, Lester St. Louis, Louise Trueheart, Samuel Baidoo and Yoh Morishita The Dealer Yevheniya Kravets (Євгенія Кравець) Supporting cast Maria Muehombo, Salomon Leonard Poutsma, Lara Dâmaso, nick von kleist, Matilda Cobanli, Mona Namér, Camilla Schielin, Ama Kyei, Martín Zícari, Shelmith Øseth, Ezra Fieremans, Lucas Lopes Pereira, Jordan Balaber, Emmanuel Edoror, Ellen Söderhult, Vilja Mihalovsky and Ashley Morgan Featured extras (in live action episodes slate) Eoghan Ryan, Erica Bartesaghi, Kalle Lähde, Paula Berens, Cha and Margherita Falqui
Game development
Director Nikima Jagudajev Technical director Julie Kern Donck Digital artist Joanna Zabielska Game design Nikima Jagudajev and Julie Kern Donck Lead developer Pepijn Willekens 3D Character modelling Julie Kern Donck, Stéphane Martin and Joanna Zabielska Narrative design Nikima Jagudajev UI design Julie Kern Donck Additional technical artist Ricardo Gomes Choreography Nikima Jagudajev Sound design & game mix Salomon Leonard Poutsma Score Jordan Balaber, Maria Muehombo and Lester St. Louis Score mix Chris Pawlusek
Live action episodes
Director of photography Nikima Jagudajev and Salomon Leonard Poutsma Additional camera operators Yevheniya Kravets (Євгенія Кравець) and Yoh Morishita Additional photography Matti Aikio Supervising editor & conform Salomon Leonard Poutsma Editor “Samuel” Judy Landkammer Editor “Amina” Omar Chowdhury Editor “Lester” Saye Oyama Editor “Louise” Shaina Lee Yang (楊力璇) Editor “Yoh” Aay Liparoto Editor “Laura” Thea Mendez Okkelmo Colorist & Master Lennert De Taeye Re-recording mixer Yves De Mey Additional score Maria Muehombo, Jordan Balaber, Lester St. Louis, Salomon Leonard Poutsma and Nikima Jagudajev Original score mix & master Chris Pawlusek End credits animator Janne Eldegard
Production
Produced by Scuola Piccola Zattere and Hiros vzw Supporting producer Escautville
Copyright
Around You
Performed by Blackwater Holylight Music & Lyrics by Blackwater Holylight © Riding Easy Records ℗ Blackwater Holylight
Furia
Performed by PATIBULL Music & Lyrics by Cris Isabelle Oliveira Araujo Nascimento
Coral Beats
Performed by Neana Music by Neana ℗ Neana © Neana
meditate
Performed by Daisy Ray Music by Femke Fredrix © Daisy Ray ℗ Deardogs
Darlene
Performed by DJ Würm, Music by Dj Würm © Sal de Fête 2020 ℗ Master by Gaspard Emma Hers
Human Behavior
Performed by Björk Music & Lyrics by Björk Gudmundsdottir, Nellee Hooper, Antonio Carlos Jobim © Kobalt Music Publishing, Sony / ATV Melody, Warner Chappell Music Inc. ℗ One Little Independent Records
القذافي الأمازون الحرس
Performed by Music For Your Plants Music by Norman Orro
Trepa
Performed by Sueuga Kamau Music by Manolis Sueuga, Kamau Davis ℗ Terror Negro
Fresh Out the Oven (WIP)
Performed by Nikima Jagudajev & Salomon Leonard Poutsma Music by Nikima Jagudajev & Salomon Leonard Poutsma
DSO
Performed by Neida Music by Quentin Daney ℗ Nehza Records
AM to PM
Performed by G Version III Music by Natsuyo Kiya © Natsuyo Kiya ℗ Digital Sting
Surf Rider
Performed by Il Est Vilaine Music & Lyrics by Florent Doriane Frossard, Simon Philippe Le Roy ℗ Dialect Recordings © Gaga Music
Fagulha
Performed by WULFFLUW XCIV, Absyss Music by Nikita Nakonechnyi, Diego Alberto Blancas Serrano © 2024 WULFFLUW XCIV ℗ 2024 WULFFLUW XCIV
Special thanks to
The curators of Basically : Martín Zícari, Marianne Dobner and mumok (2024), Helena Kritis and WIELS (2023), Michelangelo Miccolis and Shedhalle (2021-22), Theresa Roessler and Westfälischer Kunstverein (2025), Scott Elliott and Bergen Kunsthall (2020-21), Richard Julin, Therese Kellner and Stockholm University-Accelerator (2024), Diana Campbell and Dhaka Art Summit (2023), Lisa Wiegel and De Brakke Grond (2024), Irene Calderoni and Scuola Piccola Zattere (2025), Jonna Strandberg and Kiasma (2025), Irene Campolmi and Enter Art Fair (2023), workspacebrussels and Games.brussels
Sébastien Le Touze, Bård Aarvik, Laurel Atwell, Emmanuel Diela Nkita, Nimia Gracious, Minna Kaaronen, Julie Silset, Magnus Håland Sunde, Gry Tingskog, Alexandra Tveit, Marie Ursin, Nikoline Ursin Erichsen, Amalia Wiatr Lewis, June Jenkins, Zöe Field, Ayomoy Arrono, Sanne Dodier, Nina Emge, Olivia Erlanger, Che Go Eun, Polina Filipova, Padyn Humble, Melanie Matthieu, Abigail McNamara, Hana Miletić, Ra Tack, Wes Taylor, Maïra Villena, Petra Webb, Marcella Ruiz Cruz, Stine Sampers and Thomas Waterzooi
Based on Basically by Nikima Jagudajev Logos Audio Engine FMOD Studio by Firelight Technologies Pty Ltd., Unity (Like is not sponsored by or affiliated with Unity Technologies or its affiliates. Unity Trademark is a trademark or registered trademark of Unity Technologies or its affiliates in the U.S. and elsewhere.)