do.we.touch

Performance, projection, and data installation.

do.we.touch is a performance and installation work created at the Choreographic Coding Labs 14 (#CCL14) in 2022, hosted by A+E Labs in Chatham, UK.

This performance and installation explores themes of consent, intimacy, and technology’s relationship in facilitating this intimacy. Building on principles of consent in the practice of contact improvisational dance, how do we facilitate touch and connection as humans; how do we navigate how we feel in these moments; how does technology and biosensors impact and facilitate this intimate space we create together. Performers wear pulse sensors that trigger stage lighting and projection display. Performers then build a choreography inspired by a series of actions derived from consent workshops.

HOW DO WE
NAVIGATE HERE-NESS
THERE-NESS

HOW DO WE RECONCILE THE FEELINGS I BELIEVE THE FEELINGS THAT LIVE WITHIN

THE CLOSER YOU ARE
THE WAY I FEEL
DO WE TOUCH?

Technology

Pulse Heart rate sensor connected via Arduino
Movement tracking using Orbbec Astra
Isadora Software by Troikatronix
DMX to USB converter for stage lights

About Choreography Coding Labs

Choreographic Coding Labs is “an international traveling format offering ‘code savvy’ artists the opportunity to translate aspects of choreography and dance into digital form and apply choreographic thinking to their own practice. CCLs are five-day intensive labs bringing together a selected group of creative coders and choreography experts to work on experiments, prototypes, projects, and ideas relating to technology and the moving body. Taking place in an intimate interdisciplinary peer-to-peer setting, CCLs invite participants to work together, share knowledge, and find new collaborative modes of working.”

2022’s CCL was hosted in Chatham, UK at the A+E Lab with a few dozen participants from around the world; together in a large studio space, creating artwork, friendships and collaborative projects. Projects ranged from AI Choreographers, AI generated dance scores, machine learning movement recognition, VR technology and all the beautiful in-betweens of intelligence and embodiment.

TIM MURRAY-BROWNE’s Blogpost on CCL14

Isabel Sun’s Medium article on CCL14

Wonderful video of CCL created by Stathis Doganis

Special thanks to Mark and Tove for inspiration and mentorship // Dancers: Allie Costa + Lenata S. Goka // CCL Host: Aoi + Esteban