Re: Software for Dancers Up Date #2/ Articles On Line

From: mjumbe (b_mjumbe@yahoo.com)
Date: 04/03/02


Hellolist




hiscott, thanks for your reply. i did not have a chance to look at thearticle in full before i posted but i have done so after the last few days..




youhave indeed raised some important issues and in many aspects i concurwith your analysis. i guess this reply further illustrates some ofthe issues and provides an context and explanation for my learninglayer




BEGINS




perhapsthere is an interesting parallel here with the 'Re: COSIGN 2002 -note: not just papers.' thread. What i would ask is.; can weeffectively separate a software build  from it's coding  language and the use of the software from both the build and the codinglanguage.  i will use the  classical ballet move (v1.0-beta) toillustrate. i am assuming it is open source and thus are making mycontributions to its development whilst honoring copyright. 







althougheach coding  language  has its on syntax there are different stylesof use. for example this page could be coded in several differentstyles of html but still appear visually the same. 




thisline




   return the foot of my right leg infront of the footof my left leg 




canbe replaced with this




    put my right leg infront of my left leg withdistance set to 0













Softwareis however more than the language. it is the way in which thatlanguage is used to handle and process information. just as twodifferent teachers may instruct the physical actions of a glissade differently there will be differences in it's appearance 







The[on glissade;] to [end glissade;]  lines could beplaced after [-- definition] as it is an instruction setrather than a macro (set of instructions expressed in a singlestatement). Leaving only [on dance] ]before the definitiontag. 




thisis also possible 




onglissade;




   do fifthposition

   do plié (demi) while plié dodegagé (my left leg)

   	while degagé (away) 							put the weight ofmy body from my right leg onto my left leg

   do degagé (my right leg) while degagé(away) 					return the foot of my right leg infront ofthe foot of my left leg

   do plié (demi)




endglissade;




thisis a change of syntax and process. Try it out for your self. And makesure no one is watching you!










auser who both understands the language and software build canmanipulate the process of the software and the language to their ownends. If this ability to manipulate the process is native to theapplication and comprehensive then i would say that the software hadgood functionality. regardless of it intended application. the samecan be said of the programming language.  this is why included thelearning layer so users have the ability to unleash their creativityrather than find themselves restrained by the software  architecture,programming language or the general perceived uses of the software. 




atpresent there is no arm support,  but with a knowledge of the language and the concept of the process of the software that caneasily be added. 




wecan set up a macro like 




	doPort de bra (bb -1);




ifthe port de bra are set up as translations (here bra bas to first)and the direction of limbs detailed for each transition (no codinggiven here) on top of a detail of the basic position the we can usethe flexibly of the while tag. We can also detail the discreetmoments and locations in the same way as for the legs but with theprefix arms.  for something such as forth position then we can takethe arm that is in second position as the signifier. such as




	arms(4-right)




adetailing of bra bas might be




--arms (bb) definition 




on arms (bb)




	slightlybend arms with palms facing

	whileput my right arm infront of my right leg

		putmy left arm infront of my left leg










tomatch up the movements







ondance




   do arms (bb); 								while arms (bb) do glissade;




oryou can reverse the argument if you prefer the other process

         			







PAUSE







softwareis more than a language, is the structure that the  language  is usedin and the way in which it handles the information which made thedifference, enable creativity 'the design of advanced systemarchitectures and thought processes to enable the creation of (asyet) unimaginable forms and spaces'  ( http://acg.media.mit.edu/)




iagree with the viewpoint that we should see software as a materialrather than a tool. I would argue that an understanding the materialyou are working with can only enrich your process. there is somegreat software out there, so lets get to know it unleash ourcreativity!




Matt




END
















  
--- Scott deLahunta  wrote:> matthew,> > Thank you for the proposal in response to the c.a.t.> On another tangent -- I was intrigued by your> inclusion of the 'learning' > layer as a component of your proposal... and wonder> if you had a chance to > read this essay that was also written as an outcome> of the software for > dancers project, but with an aim toward framing> software as a cultural > entity where notions of materiality and process call> functionality into > question?> > http://huizen.dds.nl/~sdela/sfd/scott.html> > I am just curious. I think your proposal is great...> so hope you don't mind > me using it to plug this other view.> > For those interested, further reading along the> lines of critical > reflection on software as a culture, take a look at> Matthew Fuller's > writings (http://www.axia.demon.co.uk/), but in> particular he has recently > posted the following article on the nettime> discussion list.> > Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2002 21:21:17 +0100> From: matthew fuller > Subject:  Behind the Blip


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