Virtual Dance for Real People
Can the emotion of the performance exist without the performance?
Is it possible for a dance performance to involve the spectator while the dancer is not physically present?
Is there a safe-conduct to ensure that art can express its expressive power in the absence of contact and in the presence of “distancing”?
The Fondazione Nazionale della Danza / Aterballetto began to ask these questions in the most uncertain and obscure months of the recent past, marked by the closure of theatres and the impossibility of building prospects, to give life to Virtual Dance for Real People.
The project was born as a provocation: to address a design challenge to video and technology, calling them together in a dramatic moment, and with the intention of seeking new ways of relaunching with their help.
In investigating the relationship between dance and technology, the Fondazione Nazionale della Danza / Aterballetto relied on two partners:
- RE:Lab, Reggio Emilia: leading company in the design, development and evaluation of Human-Machine Interfaces (www.re-lab.tech/);
- Riot Studio (Lapej), Naples: multimedia communication and production company.
As co-producer, the Fondazione Palazzo Magnani of Reggio Emilia accompanies us in our research project.
Virtual Dance for Real People focuses on dance and, at the same time, envelops it with 360° video technology and virtual reality visors.
At the heart of the project are 3 MicroDanze, short dance performances, performed by one or more dancers, designed by talented young choreographers:
The audience can watch it through an Oculus visor, inside the same set in which it was created and, while the dance unfolds all its visual power, the spectator can observe who is dancing, the space around her/him, while the sounds and music envelop her/him. Just as if s/he were in a theatre, her/his gaze can dance with the dancers, in an interweaving of perceptions.
DATES
TEDxNapoli – Democrazia Digitale
DEMOCRAZIA DIGITALE is the biggest Italian marathon of ideas ever organised by 24 TEDx united, on a decidedly symbolic day, Italian Republic Day, and with a single topic: how the digital world has changed the theme of rights and democracy.
A great event in free streaming.
Gigi Cristoforetti, Managing Director of the Fondazione Nazionale della Danza / Aterballetto, together with Roberto Montanari (Professor of Interaction Design and Cognitive Ergonomics at the University Suor Orsola Benincasa in Naples and co-founder and head of research and development of RE:Lab) will present for the first time the project Virtual Dance for Real People.
AGO Modena Fabbriche Culturali – Onlife. Connessioni tra persone
Ethereal Bodies, Digital Bodies
Two imperfect bodies, two asymmetries that complete themselves in the harmonious and accomplished dialogue of two dancers. Gigi Cristoforetti, managing director of the Fondazione Nazionale della Danza/Aterballetto, talks about Meridiana and the urgency from which the idea of creating micro-choreographies that can be replicated in virtual reality was born. Roberto Montanari, co-founder of RE:Lab, who curated the virtualization of the performance, explains the steps that led to the birth of Meridiana while Michela Marzano expands the reflection on the philosophical and aesthetic level with respect to the status of the body and the sensory experience.
AGO Modena Fabbriche Culturali – Onlife. Connessioni tra persone
First public presentation in live and cinematic vr of Meridiana and Kepler by Diego Tortelli
A site-specific choreography specifically designed to be hosted inside the historic Pharmacy, part of the former Sant’Agostino Hospital.
The experience of the live performance will be alternated with the experience of the same “micro-dance” in virtual reality. At the end of the performance the spectator will be able to relive the show through an oculus capable of replicating the physical experience in virtual reality.
Location: Historical Pharmacy – Former Sant’Agostino Hospital
Duration live performance plus virtual performance: about 40 minutes
To book the live and virtual reality performance: bookings available from Tuesday 1 June at 8:00 a.m. at the following link https://www.eventbrite.it/e/biglietti-meridiana-157229627047
An almost sci-fi choreography that creates micro/macro-worlds, live and in virtual reality.
The experience of the live performance will be alternated with the experience of the same “micro-dance” in virtual reality. At the end of the performance the spectator will be able to relive the show through an oculus capable of replicating the physical experience in virtual reality. A comparison between physical and digital dimensions, capable of broadening the spectator’s perceptive spectrum.
Venue: Chiesa San Nicolò – Former Sant’Agostino Hospital
Duration live performance plus virtual performance: about 40 minutes
To book the live and virtual reality performance: bookings available from Tuesday 1 June at 8:00 a.m. at the following link https://www.eventbrite.it/e/biglietti-kepler-157244473453
AGO Modena Fabbriche Culturali – Onlife. Connessioni tra persone
Virtual dances for real tours. Guided tour with immersive performance
The vision of “virtual” dances during the visit of the “real” spaces of the former Sant’Agostino hospital, whose history will be explored.
Start of tour: Historical Pharmacy – Former Sant’Agostino Hospital
Duration of guided tour plus two virtual performances: about 45 minutes
To book the guided tour with virtual reality performances: bookings available from Tuesday 1 June at 8.00 a.m. at https://www.eventbrite.it/e/biglietti-danze-virtuali-per-visite-reali-157456946967
