In How long does the subject…, a motion-capture system deploys eighteen infra-red cameras to capture the movements of the four dancers wearing reflective markers. These cameras and markers are what enable the imagery to see the dancers on the stage in the instant.. However, here these cameras are the eyes for a complex system of analysis and graphic action, an artificial intelligence of sorts.

To do so, the imagery focuses not on individual dancers, but rather on the patterns they form together. One such pattern, most easily perceived, is the spatial composition the dancers make at any given moment on stage — the spaces between them; the similarities and differences between their shapes.

 Finally, these perspectives on the dance as it unfolds are projected using a real-time graphics renderer. Each diagram of understanding is generated live in 1/20th of a second and immediately updated in the next instant.

Marc Downie (United States), has an MA and a MSCI from the University of Cambridge. As a member of the Synthetic Character group at the MIT Media Lab he received a Master of Media Arts and Science. At present he is a doctoral candidate at MIT working at the intersection between artificial intelligence, digital music and movement.

Shelley Eskhar (United States), received a BFA from the Cooper Union. His research explores drawing, computer graphics and human motion.

Paul Kaiser (United States), is an interactive artist with a background in experimental filmmaking and sepcial education. He received his BA from Wesleyan in 1978 and his Master of Education from American University.

The OpenEnded Group