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.