DanceEast Commissions // 2022

An exciting series of digital artworks for DanceEast’s public spaces, now on permanent display at the Jerwood DanceHouse foyer.

Two digital artworks were created in response to a call out for early-career artists to produce short pieces of digital work, to launch DanceEast‘s library of front of house installations. The successful applicants received support from DanceEast and Collusion to deliver the two projects.

Movementus

Norwich University of the Arts alumni Emma Bellerby (BA Fine Art, 2022) and Gwynira Daikin (MA Games, 2019) explored real-time depth sensor data with the Kinect Azure, node based visual programming in TouchDesigner and capturing multiple angle footage with Blackmagic cameras. They collaboratively developed an interactive digital artwork that involved working with a choreographer, dancers and technicians in a 270’ Green Screen studio.

The artists explored the process of creating an interactive public installation that included developing project timelines, install plans and statements in collaboration with the venue. This was a valuable experience for the early career artists, working on their first public artwork using projection; dancers; a large green screen facility; and collaborating with a choreographer.

The playable interactive work combines the pre-recorded movement of dancers with real-time motion, aiming to explore the connections between the community of people who visit the DanceHouse. The visuals were abstracted through visual effects programmed with TouchDesigner.

In Movementus, the participant steps in front of the artwork and sees colours and lights reacting to their movement. Their actions creates a visual interaction that only the viewers can experience in the moment. The abstract motions projected into the space represent the relationship between the digital and the physical.

This interactive piece combines Gwynira Daikin’s programming and digital art knowledge with Emma Bellerby’s video editing and eye for aesthetics. Artistic contributions from movement director, Laura Biggs, and DanceEast’s dancers, whose ages range from 2 to 81, demonstrate the versatility of the technology.

DanceEast states, ‘Captured in DanceEast’s digital suite and using the Kinect Asure and TouchDesigner, the collaboration of art, dance and tech marks a moment in this contemporary age‘.

Dreaming of Dance

The Norwich University of the Arts alumni Lauryn Lamb (BA Fine Art, 2022), aka Weewaawoowee, explored interviewing and collecting audio. They worked in a 270’ Green Screen studio for the first time, developing their project with a choreographer and dancers and learning the steps involved in creating a public artwork. They received mentoring in progressing their real-time and post-production workflow; were introduced to visual mixing techniques and software; and used new technologies, such as Blackmagic cameras.

Their final animated short film Dreaming of Dance explores how dance makes us feel mentally, physically and spiritually. Through interviews with a range of people that engage with dance, Weewaawoowee created a narrative trying to encapsulate the magic of dance and what it could add to people’s lives. Dancers from a variety of backgrounds and abilities spent a day with Weewaawoowee and choreographer Laura Biggs capturing footage that would be used as resources for Weewaawoowee’s final artwork.