Cycle 1… more like cycle crash (Taylor)

The struggle.
So, I was disappointed that I couldn’t get the full version (with projector projecting, camera, and a full-bodied person being ‘captured’) up and running. Even last week I did a special tech run two days before my rehearsal using two cameras (an HDMI connected camera and a web cam). I got everything up, running, and attuned to the correct brightness Wednesday and then Friday it was struggle-bus city for Chewie, then Izzy was saying my files were corrupted and it didn’t want to stay open. Hopefully, I can figure out this wireless thing for cycle 2 or maybe start working with a Kinect and a Cam?…
The patch.
This patch was formulated from/in conjunction with PP(2). It starts with a movie player and a picture player switching on&off (alternating) while randomly jumping through videos/images. Although recently I am realizing that it is only doing one or the other… so I have been working on how the switching back and forth btw the two players works (suggestions for easier ways to do this are welcome). When a certain range of brightness (or amount of motion) is detected from the Video In (fed through Difference) the image/vid projector switches off and the 3 other projectors switch on [connected to Video In – Freeze, Video Delay – Freeze, another Video In (when other 2 are frozen)]. After a certain amount of time the scene jumps to a duplicate scene, ‘resetting’ the patch. To me, these images represent our past and present selves but also provide the ability to take a step back or step outside of yourself to observe. In the context of my rehearsal, for which I am developing these patches, this serves as another way of researching our tendencies/habits in relation to inscriptions/incorporations on our bodies and the general nature of our performative selves.
The first cycle.
Some comments that I received from this first cycle showing were: “I was able to shake hands with my past self”, “I felt like I was painting with my body”, and people were surprised by their past selves. These are all in line with what I was going for, I even adjusted the frame rate of the Video Delay by doubling it right before presenting because I wanted this past/second self to come as more of a surprise. Another comment that I received was that the timing of images/vids was too quick, but as they experimented and the scene regenerated they gained more familiarity with the images. I am still wondering with this one. I made the images quick on purpose for the dancers to only be able to ‘grab’ what they could from the image in this flash of time (which is more about a spurring of feeling than a digestion of the image). Also, the images used are all sourced from the performers so they are familiar and these images already have certain meanings for them… Don’t quite know how the spectators will relate or how to direct their meaning making in these instances…(ideas on this are also welcomed). I want to set up the systems used in the creation of the work as an installation that spectators can interact with prior to the performers performing, and I am still stewing on through line between systems… although I know it’s already there.
Thanks for playing, friends!!!
Also, everyone is invited to view the Performance Practice we are working on. It is on Fridays 9-10 in Mola (this Friday is rescheduled for Mon 11.14, through Dec. 2), please come play with us… and let me know if you are planning to!