 |
|
|
 |
Home Information Registration Sessions Schedule Participants Contacts |
SESSIONS The possibility of using 3D computer animation as a complementary tool to dance documentation. by Johan Stjernholm, UK Paper The paper suggests that Labanotation and 3D computer animation may have strong parallels and similarities in the way that the notator/animator has to understand and analyse the body and movement. Some examples discussed in the paper are: - The hierarchical ways of analysing and structuring the body. - The use of space holds and body holds. - The notator’s use of gesture and pose notation versus the animator’s use of Inverse Kinematics and Forward Kinematics. - The challenges of capturing dynamics and expression. Further, the paper suggests that 3D computer animation also may have interesting properties outside the scope of representing bodies and movements. A virtual, computer based reconstruction/recreation of a choreography could, for instance, in addition to movements also incorporate other elements of a performance, such as setting, costume, and sound. The paper will to some extent investigate the potential power of computerised reconstructions/recreations. However, the paper also aims to highlight some of the problems, limitations, and challenges of computer-based representations. Based on the suggestion that notation and animation may have strong conceptual links, and with an awareness of some potential powers and challenges of computerised representations, the paper invites dance/movement notators and archivists to consider the possibility of forming collaborations with computer animators. Potentially, animation could act as a powerful and useful complement in the documentation, archivation, reconstruction, and recreation of movements, dance, choreographies, and performances. Johan Stjernholm currently lives in London, UK, and is a Ph.D. student for Professor Helen Thomas at the newly established Research Centre for Fashion, The Body and Material Cultures at University of the Arts London. From 2002-2004, Johan worked as Research Assistant to Dr. Valerie Preston-Dunlop at Laban. Since 1997, Johan has been active as a dancer and choreographer both in his own dance company, LCSE, and in other dance companies based in, New Zealand, Sweden, and UK, including Protein Dance Company. Johan also gives lectures in Laban Choreology to post-graduates at Central Saint Martins, London. He received his M.A. in European Dance Theatre Practice from Laban in 2003.
|
