Re: Life Forms Generated Choreography

From: Samara L. Thompson (samarat@yorku.ca)
Date: 08/21/01


Hello!

I agree with you that there are still numerous possibilities to be explored
with Life Forms, as there are with dance and technology.

I deliberately selected human figures to animate as that was my choreographic
interest.  I decided, however, not to use faces, so that there was a level of
abstraction.  The closer the figures look to "real" the more others notice how
they are not.  I felt the abstraction would facilitate a bit of acceptance of
the digitized body and movements which were not always humanly possible.  In
other parts of my work (which I didn't have on the site), the projections that
the dancers interacted with were shown in a variety of drawing styles, like
sticks and outlines, to further illustrate various ways to represent the human
body.

As dance artists abstract the human form more and more, perhaps we are seeing
the blending of dance and visual arts.  So that could lead us to the bigger
question of what is dance?  Is it only the movement of the human body and its
representation or is it anything that posses movement?

I would be very curious to hear your response and insights!

Many thanks!

Samara



Annelie David wrote:

> >
> Dear Samara,
>
> I'm glad to see that people are still making work with LifeForms. Here in
> The Netherlands most of the choreographers are thinking that it is an
> oldfashion tool. In my opinion The tool isn't yet explored enough to make
> such a statement.
>
> Your choreography is a clearly defined piece of work. My question is while
> working with LifeForms too: Why trying to make it as realistic as possible,
> especially using the models looking like dancers? I'm wondering what can we
> do with choreography else then working with "dancers"? But that is of course
> a very personal point of view and doesn't really relate to your work.
>
> keep ongoing,
>
> Annelie David
>
> >
> >Hi!
> >I am presenting a new piece of choreography at the fringe Festival of
> >Independent Artist (fFIDA) in Toronto.  The dance creates an environment
> >where live dancers interact with their computer-generated counterparts.
> >These virtual partners have been animated using Life Forms.  If you
> >would like more detailed information, please check out my web site at
> >http://telusplanet.net/public/brthomp/home.html
> >
> >I would be very interested in feedback and comments on my work.  Please
> >send them to samarat@mac.com
> >
> >Thanks!
> >
> >Samara L. Thompson
> >
> >[Image]
>
> _________________________________________________________________
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