Belgrade, April 4th, 2014 – The luminous new location of Resonate2014 was the stage for the panel on choreographic coding moderated by Jeanne Charlotte Vogt and hosted by NODE. Our guests were invited to give insight into their practice at the intersection between coding and dance and to discuss challenges and potential for new approaches of collaboration.
Amongst others, we investigated the role of technology and coders in dance performance, in training and live on stage. Florian Jenett talked about his experience with choreographers who enjoyed his analytical work as inspiration for further projects but considered it a distraction from the actual work with the body. In their training, on the other hand, Christian Loclair and Raphael Hillebrand perceive improvisation tools as a support to grow beyond physical routines and standards. The panelists discussed the different routines in the two worlds and the resulting different approaches to time and working pace. The wide spread fear that technology might be perceived as an intruder and limiting factor for the dancer was responded with a call by Klaus Obermaier for understanding the generative image as a performance partner instead. The panelists agreed that for the development of future formats of collaboration these differences will need to be addressed.
At the same time, through the discussion it became clear that coding is a form of choreographic thinking. Not only the similarities between software and choreographic systems but also the similarities in mindset called for a common claim: coders should be encouraged to develop their own performative artistic language. They do have the potential to become an equal partner in the development of choreographies in the dance world.
The remaining impression of the panel was that there is a lot to talk about and far too much to cover it in a 90 minutes session.
To stay informed about next steps and opportunities for joining the discussion, visit: http://choreographiccoding.org
The Panel Guests
CHRISTIAN “MIO” LOCLAIR investigates collaborative media and dance mechanisms. Christian started his career as a professional dancer in 2001. His work is mainly focussing on combining media technologies and performative art. In 2005, he founded the Animatronik Project together with his mentor Niels “Storm” Robitzky. The idea behind Animatronik is to search for illusionary effects in body movements and its inner nature. He also implemented the acceleration based Popping Video Game (WiiPop) working with real physical data and the virtual improvising Funk Humanoid. At the University Potsdam he studied Computer Science, specializing in Media Engineering and Human Computer Interaction. Since 2012 he is collaborating with onformative, a studio for generative media melting art, science and design. http://princemio.net/
FLORIAN JENETT is an artist living and working in Frankfurt. His work ranges from software based art to large scale sculptural installations. Through recontextualization, manipulation and interventions he explores other possible views and meanings in rather common things.
Alongside his artistic work he has been part of the Processing team since 2005, co-founded and helps out at basis, Frankfurts largest studio house, and since 2013 is a member of NODE Forum for Digital Arts. Florian has recently been working on Motion Bank for The Forsythe Company as digital artist translating contemporary choreography into digital forms. http://florianjenett.de
KLAUS OBERMAIER was our special guest at the panel. He creates innovative works in the area of performing arts, music, theatre and new media, highly acclaimed by critics and audience.
His inter-media performances and artworks are shown at festivals and theaters throughout Europe, Asia, North and South America and Australia. He worked with dancers of the Nederlands Dans Theater, Chris Haring, Robert Tannion (DV8), Desireé Kongerød (S.O.A.P. Dance Theatre Frankfurt)… He composed for ensembles like Kronos Quartet, German Chamber Philharmonics, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Balanescu Quartet, among others.
Since 2006 he is visiting professor at the University IUAV of Venice teaching directing and new media. Also since 2006 he is jury member of the international choreography competition ‘no ballet’ in Ludwigshafen/Rhein, Germany. In 2005 and 2008 he taught as an adjunct professor for composition at the Webster University Vienna. In 2010 and 2011 he held courses for choreography and new media at the Accademia Nazionale di Danza di Roma. www.exile.at
PETER KIRN is an audiovisual artist, journalist, and technologist. He is the founder of CDM (cdm.fm /createdigitalmusic.com / createdigitalmotion.com), a leading site covering creative technology for one decade, has contributed to magazines from Popular Science to MAKE and (in a home studio feature) Men’s Health, and teaches free and open creative technology. He is also co-creator of the open source MeeBlip hardware synthesizer. A regular collaborator with dance and movement, he is a veteran of the former Dance Theater Workshop Dance and Technology residency in New York. He produces electronic music from experimental to live techno, including the duo NERKKIRN (V-Records). http://pkirn.com
RAPHAEL HILLEBRAND – Born in Hong Kong, raised in Berlin, educated through Hip-Hop Raphael Hillebrand uses his multicultural background to create his own vision of self-expression.
1997 Raphael Hillebrand began as a bboy at jams and competitions in Berlin, Germany. As a former member of 5-Amox and B-Town Allstars he won several championships such as the national Battle of the Year 2006 and the 2vs2 at the IBE in Rotterdam. Niels “Storm” Robitzky introduced him to the world of theater, at first as a dancer than as a choreographer. He combines his technique of breakin’ and poppin’ with a distinctive use of shadows and masks, which we have seen in his choreographies “Together Alone” and “Nhiều mặt„. As a member of the legendary Battle Squad and Animatronik he is an passionate member of the Hip-Hop community. www.raphael-hillebrand.com
Panel Host: Jeanne Charlotte Vogt (NODE Forum)
The panelists were addressing some of the key problems and questions in the collaboration between coders and dancers which will inspire upcoming Choreographic Coding Labs. To stay informed about next steps and opportunities for getting involved, visit: http://choreographiccoding.org
NODE network at Resonate…
“Catalysts” Panel with
Shane Walter (onedotzero) – Chair
David Brüll (NODE Forum)
Jakob Bak/David Gauthier (CIID)
Angelique Spaninks (STRP/MU)
