Emergent Virtual Dance Practices: Embodied interaction and agency in digital choreographic frameworks
Goldsmiths University
21st March 2024
This symposium event, the first of a new Digital Innovation Network, brought together academics and researchers who have worked with and for Goldsmiths University in the creation of innovative platforms and frameworks for dance work. In three presentations followed by a short roundtable discussion, artists and researchers spoke about the digital tools such as motion capture, games engines, XR interfaces, and streaming network protocols that support them in choreographic creation, installation, performer and audience interaction in a variety of physical, virtual and hybrid spaces.
Dan Strutt and Alexander Whitley — A digital dance studio for remote collaboration
Dr. Daniel Strutt and Alex Whitley spoke about their collaborative research in a 2023 British Academy Innovation Fellowship, and with XR Network+. They presented proof-of-concept and a short live demo of a user-centred, inclusive and accessible framework for remote dance practice. This is a one stop shop for digital choreographic collaboration integrating Alexander Whitley Dance Company’s ‘Otmo’ with Goldsmiths Mocap Streamer.
Letta Shtohryn — Чули? Чули (Chuly? Chuly)
Letta Shtohryn (UA / EU) is an artist and researcher. She works with XR, CGI, VR, machinima, performance and video games. Drawing inspiration from intuitive epistemologies, she explores factual and fictional storytelling and its effects IRL. Currently Letta is taking part in Realities in Transition XR residency at iMAL, Brussels. She presented her project “Чули? Чули” (Chuly? Chuly) that combines performative video gameplay with choreography to explore manipulative narratives and the physical embodiment of online personas. The work, shown in January 2024 at Ars Electronica Deep Space 8K, features a player/performer and a dancer in a motion capture suit. They navigate the boundaries between the virtual and physical realms, shifting roles and blending identities through embodied interaction.
Clémence Debaig and the work of Unwired Studio
Unwired Studio is directed by Clémence Debaig who is a dance artist, designer and creative technologist. She works with telepresence, networked wearables, mocap and XR technologies to create interactive and embodied experiences. With a background as a dancer and creative technologist – and a previous career as a UX designer – she brings a unique perspective to designing and choreographing interactive and participatory audience experiences. She is Artistic Director of Unwired Dance Theatre and a lecturer and researcher at Goldsmiths University, specialising in Motion Capture, Digital Embodiment, Immersive Theatre and Escape Rooms.
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