Nimmermehr

Our final product for this class, Special Topics in Interactive Performance and Technology, was a struggle all the way to performance. Each time we met there would be a new problem. The end result turned out nicely for all of the work we put in.
A few challenges we encountered:
- I became injured and I was unable to dance. Therefore, I taught my choreography to another dance, Juliet, and she performed for me. 
- We ended up having to take out the conductive thread connecting the Arduino, XBee, and battery because there was not a good connection and replacing it with wire. This was something I was worried about because I didn't want the wire to be pulled out when Juliet was dancing.
- The pressure sensor always output maximum value data so there was no range of values to work with. We ended up having to take out the pressure sensor from our performance.
- The data was being transmitted inconsistently and was only picking up changes every couple seconds like a photo instead of like a video. This meant that it was harder for the audience to hear the changes in the music with the movement the dancer was making. We could not find a way, and did not have time to fix this problem. This is something we could improve if we ever do this project again. 
- Lastly, the data would stop transmitting all together when the dancer had more than two points of contact on the floor. Whenever the choreography went to the floor, the music would remain at the levels it was at before the dance went to the floor. I decided to make this a choreographic choice to have the music remain constant anytime she was on the floor.

Overall, this project was difficult, but we pulled through and created a nice presentation.

Visuals, Music and Performance

The visual and music aspect is being taken care of by Andy and Micheal. Andy is working with Morgan to create music with a few tracks. The music will have a sliding affect when being changed to make it more obvious to the audience. Michael has changed the visuals to two different blobs of colors that do different effects based the sensor input.

The choreography is coming along nicely. I am playing with the tempo of different sections for the accelerometer sensor on my wrist. It is interesting trying to choreograph while thinking of so many different aspects of the costume that are playing a role in creating a full piece. I have created a beginning that is slow and none of the sensor are being used in order for the audience to hear the song before it begins to be manipulated. This is a video of a section of the choreography I have created.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvpkN23ca04&feature=youtu.be

Building the Costume

April and I created a costume rendering of different ideas for what the costume should look like. A unitard was needed for the sensors to be sewn in and work the way we intended, but we decided to add some flowy material over the stomach to hide where a bulk of sensors are going to be placed.

April already had a silver unitard which fit me, so we decided to go silver and black. The silver also allowed for the conductive thread to show through which created an interesting pattern. April and I stayed after class in order to learn how to sew the different pieces of equipment into the costume and how to do it without overlapping the threads. We decided to use conductive thread over wire because the conductive thread would allow me as the dancer to move without restriction.

Clarification of Concept

Today, we worked on decided the specifications of our project. We wanted to have music created with different tracks so we could easily manipulate the sound. Each sensor would manipulate the music in different ways. After talking to Hwaryoung, we thought about the different sensor we would like to use. At the end of the meeting, we wanted to have one pressure sensor above the left knee to manipulate the pitch of the music, one bend sensor on the inside of each elbow to decrease the volume of different tracks when bent, and an accelerometer on the inside of the right wrist in order to play with the tempo of the music.

We also wanted to add visuals which would also change with the sensors. The visuals have yet to be determined.

The performance aspect was used in deciding where the sensors would be placed. I came up with certain moves or concepts I would like to work with and we placed sensors where they could be utilized the most. As a group, we decided to go with a more angular and harsh piece.

The audience interaction will happen after the performance. The audience will be able to work with demo sensors to manipulate the sound the same way I do during the performance. This will be placed on a table and readily available for the audience to participate with them after the performance.

The Beginning of the End

For the final project, our group decided to go back to our original idea of messing with audio. Since the theme of the final project was play, we created the concept of an interactive dance costume to play with the music. We had a lovely day outside to brainstorm and clarify our concept. We thought about having a couple sensors around the body to turn on and off certain tracks of music, but this was not abstract enough for the professors liking. We did not get to decide what else we would like to do, but we at least had an idea of where we wanted to place the sensors. We decided on a sensor above the knee, one sensor on each elbow, and a sensor on the wrist. 

Dance-inspired Technology, Technology-inspired Dance - Reading Assignment

The focus of the paper surrounded five basic principles for making interactive dance. The principles include connected kinetics, augmented expression, aesthetic harmony, interactive build, and integrated process. The overall idea surrounding these design principles is to create a cohesive piece between technology and dance without overshadowing the other. In class, we discussed the dance being built first and then adding technology to enhance the piece. This was the main focus in each of the pieces talked about in the paper.

There were many different types of technology used in the pieces discussed. Accelerometers, microphones, gyroscopic computer mice, and an overhead camera to track the dancers. It was interesting to read how they used the microphones for audience interaction. One quote explained how a cough from the audience would create a visual effect on the projection. Each piece incorporated different technologies, but were able to work synchronously with the choreographer in creating a cohesive piece.

Sketch 2

This sketch was more difficult due to the time constraint of a week and a half. We worked on using multiple Kinects to create more width and used projection mapping on both the floor and the wall. The idea was to have a piano-like concept projected on the floor which would light up and play a sound when I stepped on that portion. This sound would disrupt the music notes projected on the wall and cause them to flock towards me in retaliation.

We had issues with the multiple Kinect system due to different display settings on multiple different computers. The main issue was syncing my steps up with hitting the correct portion on the floor. We were able to get a prototype up and running, but there were still kinks that needed to be worked out. Unfortunately, this process took longer than we thought and I was unable to work with the system until a couple hours before the performance.

Work Day - 2/6/13

During class time, our group had the opportunity to work with the stage space to determine if there were any issues with our setup. We found that with the scrim up the Kinect sensor would need to be placed behind the scrim in order for sensor to capture my movements. Even with the scrim up, the projector is still projecting onto the screen behind and on me. The effect made is not what the group wanted to do. We decided on placing the projector behind the scrim and projecting  it forward towards the audience. Since there  is a bright light emanating from the projector, we will need to place the projector on a diagonal and correct for the distortion onto the scrim.

The graphics and the motion capture are meshing nicely and working correctly. We are in the process of determining the exact graphics we would like to use. As of right now, we have circles emanating from my hands which change color based on height and disappear after a certain distance is met. I believe we are on schedule and will be ready for the performance next Wednesday.

As for the dance, I realized  my phrases were not long enough to meet the required two minutes. I used the time during class to elongate the phrases and begin practice on the structured improvisation part. I was able to practice in the space which allowed to understand how much space I had to work with. I was also about to determine what moves would not be captured by the sensor and at what level.

Department Meetings - Structured Improvisation

On Monday, all of the dancers came together to work on our structured improvisation concepts. For the structured imrpovisation, I developed three phrases from the laban concepts of direct and indirect movement. The first phrase used the concept of indirect movement which I paired with the laban movement principle of float. For the direct phrase, I used the word slash as a source of inspiration. The third phrase was amixture of both laban concepts and principles.

We were also instructed to create a set of rules to follow based on the projects we are working on. My rules include:
1. Use all three levels of space (high, medium, and low)
2. The hands are what moves the body

Next, we had to decide how to make each performance different so that it wasnt choreographed. I decided to ask a group member before each performance or practice which order to do the phrases and what tempo to use for each phrase. After talking with my group, we are still debating using audience interaction by having a volunteer shout out stop and go during the performance telling me when and when not to dance.

Project Research

My Aesthetic

This video is a duet choreographed by Anna Arredondo and myself for our Composition I class. This specific dance had an idea of being lazy and relaxed with the body. My style is reflected within the flow and ease of the movements. Although I am drawn to flowing movements, I have choreographed more angular pieces to challenge myself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22BdGCsgS2A

"Live Media: Interactive Technology and Theatre" Summary

Through the use of interactive media, the "theatre" can use technology to enhance the performance of actors. Saltz founded the Interactive Performance Laboratory (IPL) whose two main goals include using interactive media without compromising spontaneity and only to use media if it enhances the work. Saltz defines interactive media as media that responds to the spontaneity of performance. Linear media, in contrast, would inhibit performance interaction. Each of the plays Saltz directed included interactive media in many ways in order to showcase different interpretations. An intriguing way to use technology occurred during the production of "Kaspar" in 1999. In once scene alone, there was a use of an accelerometer, pressure sensors, and audio sensors. Each of these sensors where connected to a computer to play the appropriate sound or graphic, but only when the actor triggered the sensor. This allowed for the spontaneity of the play to continue. For the audio sensor, the actors voice would trigger the computer to respond appropriately. In other plays, the audio sensor detected the volume of the voice to create graphics accordingly. The IPL has successfully been able to create works in which technology interacts with the performers on the same level.

Dance Performance

"Lamentation" is one of the more popular dances from the Martha Graham Dance Company. I had the wonderful opportunity to watch the company perform this past semester. "Lamentation" is about grief and the struggle pertaining to that grief. In its subtleness, a powerful dance is created.

Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgf3xgbKYko

About Me

Howdy!
My name is Sarah Moudy and I am a Kinesiology major with an emphasis in Dance Science. I have been dancing for many years and I have always been around technology as my brother and father both have degrees in computer science. This class will be interesting in seeing how art and technology can come together to create something new and exciting.