Category: Final Project

Flow.mo: Final Performance Documentation

Done by Daryl, Yenee, and Ashley

Flow.mo

Trailer:

Location: Truss Room

Flow.mo is a performance inspired by the ‘Butoh’ dance. ‘Butoh’ dance is frequently regarded as surreal and androgynous and focuses on primal expressions of the human condition rather than physical beauty. The performance involves a conductor (one of us) who controls the rhythm of the backing track and instruments that are playing in the space. 3 other performers will be controlling an instrument each and 1 will be controlling the light projection. In total, there will be 5 performers. We hope to encourage our performers to move with their feelings.

 

Technologies used

Devices used: 3 computers, 5 phones, 3 projectors, speaker

 

Zigsim: to obtain values like gravity/acceleration/gyro/2d touch from the phone

 

TouchDesigner: for light projection, “middle man” between Zigsim and Ableton.

One computer is used to take in values from 3 phones (that controls one instrument each). It controls which note to play based on how high or low the phone is (gravity values). 3 performers will hold 1 phone each.

The values are connected to another computer that controls the sounds and rhythm on Ableton. The rhythm is controlled by how high or low the phone is (gravity values). This phone is held by the conductor (Daryl)

The light particles will move according to the gravity, acceleration, and gyro values from the last phone. 

 

Ableton: to play the backing track and instruments

 

Flow of performance

In order to ease our performers into performing, one dancer (Daryl) will move together with them and controls the rhythm of the performance. Instructions are also given throughout the performance by a speaker (Yenee). The conductor (Ashley) will play certain tracks (intro sound, breathing sound, solo tracks for each instrument) based on the instructions given by the dancer/speaker. 

The instructions can be found here: Flow Motion Script

 

Video documentation

Full performance:

 

References

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2016/05/28/books/book-reviews/butoh-dance-death-disease/

Flow.mo Update

Tech updates:

We managed to use values from ZigSim and used TouchDesigner to process it and translate it to Ableton to play the notes of different instruments. 

Venue: Truss Room 

Participants: 5 participants (1 controls the light, 1 controls the beat/drum, the other 3 will control 3 different instruments.

The technology needed: 5 phones, 1 projector, speakers, possibly 2/3 computers

Moodboard for music: 

The expected flow of performance: 

  • A device (phone) will be attached to a participant depending on the instrument they are controlling. (E.g. person controlling tempo will need lesser mobility, thus the device will be attached to their forearms/head. The person controlling one instrument would need more mobility, so the device can be attached to their palms.)
  • The participant will enter the room and will be asked to lay on the floor.
  • Instructions will be given through a voice track initiating the performance (To prep participants mentally to enjoy the performance/move with their feelings)
  • A backing track will be played throughout the whole performance.
  • Participants will move their bodies and different movements/different positions will trigger their instrument/light to change note/colour of light projection
  • The end of the performance will be indicated by the light projection turning black and the volume of the instruments, the beat, and the backing track eventually decreasing to no sound.

Weekly Plan:

Week 11: Refinement (Values from Zigsim + Music Refinement)

Week 12: Testing out all components (not at actual location)

Week 13: Performance at the actual location