Title : Research on networked artistic performances in APAN e-Culture WG Dancing round SPACE (aka AP-SPACE)

Project Lead : Vivian Fritz From : University of Strasbourg (France)

Dates : from 2014-07-01 16:45:22 to 2014-10-28 16:02:34

Description :

Motivation and objectives :
The aim of this TNA is to develop experimental virtual performance work bringing together representatives from Universit de Strasbourg, UFR des ARTS danse and i2CAT technical staff. The project is divided in three execution steps: to share and receive technical knowledge, to experiment and research with technology made available and to demonstrate the results obtained. Participating in a practical training using audiovisual and internet technologies, dance and performance artists can interact with digital technologies to create new artefacts and events, develop new skills which can coexist and complement traditional skills and creation methods. Dance and performance-based artists will have the opportunity to use digital media tools made available by i2CAT Audiovisual Unit. The expertise provided by i2CAT in the field of video transmission over IP networks, video/audio coding, video processing, video adaptation as well as proven capability in developing multimedia transmission tools for enabling remote collaboration using multipoint videoconference systems will contribute to the development of new methodologies and practices in virtual performance.The project aims to join multiple actors related to the creative industry, in particular those involved in performing arts, culture and technology, to create distributed performances using low latency & ultra highquality audio and video transmission through advanced research networks. This TNA will draw on the expertise in visualization facilities and resources of I2CAT combined with the knowledge and insights of the artists, who will experiment and make use of these resources. On doing so, we will stimulate the creation and promote innovative co-creative and research frameworks. The final demonstration scenario of this experimental and training sessionswill be showcased in the framework of the distributed event dQ14 Dancing in the SpacE on Tuesday, 12th of August in at NCNU in Nantou, Taiwan. This trans-national collaboration eventis produced by the Internet2 Arts & Humanities Group and the APAN eCulture WG and draws together the following organizations from all over the world: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (Korea), i2CAT Foundation - Audiovisual Unit, KnicLab and Fabra i Coats (Spain), the Rede Nacional de Ensino e Pesquisa (Brazil), the Czech Research and Educational Network and the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (Czech Rep.)and the Academia Sinica Grids & Clouds in Taiwan. In this sense, with this TNAs we will be able to approach directly the following objectives: To provide performers and artist with an environment for experimentation and exploration of new technologies Identify the publics interest in new artistic formats to sustain the performance-based CH sector and help it to grow and adapt to the new economic and cultural environments. Contribute to the creation and development of networks to support cross-disciplinary and cross-domain collaboration in CH and CH-related sectors. Contribute to exploration and development of new ways of interactions with performance-based CH and the virtual world, and at a global scale. Moreover, by conducting this TNA we will be able to showcase the expected outcomes during the demo event dQ14 Dancing in the SpacE on Tuesday, 12th of August at NCNU in Nantou, Taiwan. This is one of the most important events in Europe in the Future Internet field and the global audience will be able to watch the show online (website to be confirmed shortly) and also to participate live via their mobile smartphones (or other network-connected device). In addition, representatives from the most important and influencing entities in this area at international level will meet during the event. This fact is a key dissemination action for the Visionair project and its facilities.

Teams :
Art research laboratory - Approches contemporaines de la cration et de la rflexion artistiques ACCRA 3402 ?(Contemporary approaches to the creation and artistic reflection) Faculty of Art in University of Strasbourg. The research team is led by three main concerns: - Examine contemporary art and the conditions of their genesis and their dissemination or entry into the space (physical, public, media, arts, social, economic ...) - Generate new models of analysis can contribute to new interpretive practices - Develop conceptual tools that can nourish-poetic, aesthetic and methodological research and their impact on artistic practice.

Dates :
starting date : 04 August, 2014
ending date : 14 August, 2014

Facilities descriptions :
http://visionair-browser.g-scop.grenoble-inp.fr/visionair/Browser/Catalogs/DML.SP.html

Recordings & Results :
In the context of the investigation carried out to trace the creation of the artists Konic and the APAN congress, in collaboration with i2cat, it is reported that the participation of the researcher Vivian Fritz (from the University of Strasbourg) was successfully developed, mainly in three stages: 1.-A long distance preparation, as planned, to contextualize the investigation of the guest. This included discussions with the artists i2CAT (July). Both collaborators provided documents and meetings (skype) to be able to contextualize the previous experiences with APAN. In addition, they shared the process of the creative ideas (directed by Konic) and the use of technologies (choice and test). Parallel to this, i2CAT and Konic synchronized actions with the purpose of preparing the network infrastructure, computer equipment and software tools, these last ones in accordance with the stage set down for the APAN event. 2.-In a second stage of the research, Vivian Fritz went to Barcelona for 7 days (August 8th to 14th 2014) in order to follow the process in situ and the outcome of this experience. She was able to visit the installations of i2cat, make exchanges related to their work regarding the networks, get to know their goals and technological challenges. In addition, she was able to become acquainted with the progress they have made related to the use of technology in collaboration with art. Gerard Castillo (project engineer, i2CAT) participated by providing documents and carrying out demonstrations of the various tools used in the artistic creations. The artists, they facilitated the observation by visiting the work spots and showing the tools used in the creation. Furthermore, the artists, the dancer and the engineer of i2CAT collaborated with enthusiasm in the interviews, reflexive dialogues and search for material that helped the investigation. During her stay Vivian Fritz was able to follow closely the working methods and see in action the use of the technical tools applied in the creation (software, Internet...). Also, she traced the problems, discoveries and achievements of the experience. An experience that involved creation with 4 nodes in real time (Prague, Spain, Miami, Czech Republic). Later, after the investigation she continued with observations and analysis during the rehearsals, inquiring mainly in the choreographic structure and the use of body movement in distance. Interviews and meetings took place with the team in Barcelona, as well as document retrievals (photos, videos, notes) during the device installation, rehearsals and the final performance. The performance was successfully carried out on October 12. Various points of view were made possible through the screens arranged on the equipment. Key elements to continue with the analysis of this creation. The team was always available and open to this research. 3. -In a third phase, post -visit, Vivian Fritz, writes a scientific article with the outcome of the investigation, which will be available in a first stage in the site www.seuil-lab.com, and subsequently in the official publication which will be indicated on the same site. A video will accompany the document, which will be available on the above-mentioned web site. This article is aimed at validating the theoretical reflections recovered on site, especially those relating to: creation in distance (coordination, cultural diversity), use of the space and the body (material in flesh and bone and in images), the display and dissemination of the work, spectators on the network, new aesthetics, etc.

Conclusions :
Among the objectives of this TNA, was the invitation of Vivian Fritz, who based her research on the changes that produces the intermediality of technological tools and the Internet in the performing arts, a search that is supported by the doctoral thesis of the guest researcher. In this context several objectives were attained. 1. -An exchange between the ACCRA research unit, University of Strasbourg (theoretical), i2cat (technological-practical) and the artists Konic (art and use of technology for creation), which enabled us to have a diversity of points of view concerning the use of networks. 2. -Explore the process of creating a performance with different connecting points, which included various cultures, languages, temporalities and forms of matter (virtual, real). 3. -Establish problematics and achievements of a hybrid performance (real -virtual). Specifically the development of a dance with virtual and real dancers, altogether to a music that was diffused in various spaces. 4. -Be able to design and create new possibilities for the creation of dance and the use of networks. 5. -Enhance the artistic work through a scientific document in an innovative context. (article in progress to be published in France).