Dance technology is a dance form in which existing and emerging technologies are used to extend traditional dance practice and develop new dance practices.

note: definitions of dance and technology are subject to debate and as such artists, works and technologies should be examined on an individual basis

Practice and Research

Dance technology fields incude:

• Motion capture: 1 2 3
• Virtual Dance (choreographic animation)
• Dance for camera
• Movement generated sound / video via MIDI
• Interfaces: mediation of human motion
• Integrated performance spaces: 1 2
• Integration of technology and choreography
• Analyzing dance movement using computers and other devices
• Dance notation and computers: 1 2
• web dance: 1
• Telepresence: 1 2 3
• Generative dance

Probably the best known example of Dance technology work is Biped (1999) by Merce Cunningham but is a limited example of the field.

Artists, Groups and Institutions

Artists

• Johannes Birringer - Leslie Bishko
• Merce Cunningham
• Scott deLahunta - Kent De Spain
• William Forsythe
• Bill T. Jones
• Paul Kaiser - Michael Klien - Susan Kozel
• Richard Lord
• Wayne McGregor
• Lisa Naugle
• Sita Popat - Richard Povall
• David Rokeby - Nick Rothwell - Sarah Rubridge
• Thecla Schiphorst - Yacov Sharir - Stelarc - Scott Sutherland
• Jane Turner
• Elizabeth Streb
• Mark Coniglio
• Dawn Stoppiello

Groups

• AlienNation Co
• Barriedale Opera House
• CASSIEL
• halfangel
• Palindrome Intermedia Performance Group
• Satorimedia
• Troika Ranch
• SenseLabor
• GroupGravity

Institutions

• ADaPT Association for Dance and Performance Telematics.
• Ohio State University OSU Dance.
• [1] essexdance -- National Dance Technology Agency
• [2] essexdance / dance.tech

Technologies

Software

Although many dance technology artists develop custom software for each new performance work, other artists use existing packages which they customise with their own plugins and patches. Not all software used in dance technology performances has been designed specifically for dance use. MIDI software originally designed for computer music apllications is also widely used. Examples of software used in dance technology performances are:

• BigEye: Converts video to midi messages.
• Cyclops: A Max object for video tracking and analysis.
• DanceForms: 3D choreographic-animation software
• EyeCon: Motion tracking via live video feed.
• e-Merge: Rule based system for emergent composition.
• EyesWeb: Motion Analysis via live video feed.
• Interactor LPT: MIDI interaction controller (often used with MidiDancer).
• Isadora: real-time manipulation of digital video
• KeyWorx: Multi-User Cross Media Synthesizer
• Max/MSP (Max): Music (midi) and multimedia software.
• MEGA (Multisensory Expressive Gesture Applications): EyesWeb based Analysis and synthesis of expressive gestures in immersive environments.
• softVNS: Real-time video processing and tracking Max object.
• Pure Data: Realtime multimedia manipulation and creation software
• Livebuilder: Video based motion tracking system.

See also: Dance notation software

Hardware

Dance technology artits also design and fabricate their own hardware for performances, examples inculde:

• Magic Carpet: Dynamic floor sensor
• MidiDancer: Wireless movement sensing system (MIDI)
• LiteFoot: A floor space for recording dance and controlling media
• Z-Tiles: self-organizing dense sensor network.

External links

• The Dance & Technology Zone (old site)
• DanceTechnology (new site opens fall 2004)
• Dance and Technology Mailing List Archive 1996 -
• Search Dance and Technology Mailing List Archive (keywords)
• Dance and Interactive systems Bibliography (last updated 2004)
• Dance and Technology Bibliography (last updated 1996)
• The Digital Performance Archive
• Palatine directory: Dance Technology