Synchronous Objects, a dance visualization project that explores the structures and patterns of William Forsythe's "One Flat Thing, reproduced" (OFTr) includes an object called the Furniture System.
The motivating idea behind the Furniture System visualizations is to extract the qualities of each of the themes of OFTr (watch videos of the dance themes) and then to convert the salient characteristics into a series of carved foam blocks that capture the essence of these movement patterns and structures. As with the themes in the dance, these blocks can be arranged and combined in different shapes and patterns, essentially recreating the performative nature of OFTr.
The Furniture Systems visualization object includes videos, diagrams and explanations that breakdown this investigation in to the possible relationships between dance and architecture.
To understand how a theme is converted into sculpted foam blocks, it's helpful to take a look at the "Furniture System Matrix" (a large PDF file - 52 MB).
This matrix shows how the qualities of a theme are identified, explained and diagrammed:
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Then, within a 3D animation program, a specific "carving" technique is chosen to mold the blocks to best represent the characteristics of each theme. And a series of blocks, at ten second intervals, are designed.
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After using a 3D animation program to render the blocks, actual foam blocks are created using a computer-driven milling machine:
These physical blocks can then be combined and rearranged in many different patterns:
And there is a brief intriguing clip that shows a glimpse of a home or building that is generated by stacking selected foam blocks:
How Close the Connection Between OFTr and Architecture?
I'm curious how architects might use the Synchronous Objects explorations as a springboard for their own designs. Are the connections between dance visualizations and actual buildings and interior designs supposed to be seen in loose, abstract terms? Or can very "concrete" connections be made between, say, the rhythmic patterns of a dance and a finished home?
By closely analyzing the complex systems embedded in the work [OFTr] the architectural project seeks to make a parallel design that generates effects and perceptual phenomena which resonate and have a strong affinity with Forsythe's dance while avoiding overly reductive translations and respecting the architectural qualities of the newly emergent objects.
I take Turk's quote to mean that the analysis of dance structures is seen more as a motivating, philosophical and process-oriented guide and not so much as a model that will dictate specific forms and functions.
Flare is a modular, computer-driven system that creates a moving skin for the facade of a building. This kinetic membrane is formed by the changing positions of thousands of metal flakes that are controlled by pneumatic cylinders.
Here's a video clip that shows the different patterns that are created based on how the tilting flakes reflect natural light:
A higher-quality video is available on the Flare site.
Capuchin, a new robot from researchers at Stanford University, scales walls and cliffs, and can be used for geological research on earth and other planets. Lean more in NewScientist's recent article, "Climbing Robot Throws Its Weight Around."
"Capuchin's climbing is more human in terms of speed and agility," says Teresa Miller who worked on the 7kg robot before leaving Stanford last year. "When you look at Lemur [an earlier robot], it's hard to tell if it's climbing; it moves very slowly."
I'd like to see how dancers experiment with the weight-shifting approach of Capuchin as they scale vertical surfaces and inclines.
Dancers Go Vertical
Here are two examples of site-specific dance performances that use different architectural structures.
The aerial dancers of Project Bandaloop perform at the opening of a new hospital:
And you can also watch Rapture, choreographed by Noemie LaFrance, performed on Frank Gehry architecture at Bard College:
The Chanel Contemporary Art Container Opens in Hong Kong
It will be interesting to see what innovative approaches are taken to site-specific dance-making as we see a growth in new organic, mobile, sustainable and responsive architectural forms. I'll be writing about these different architectural structures and looking for examples of dance works created for these environments.
Chanel's Contemporary Art Container
In February Chanel launched an international tour of its futuristic, mobile art exhibit pavilion designed by architect Zaha Hadid (Wikipedia profile). The excellent Chanel Mobile Art website features extensive exterior and interior tours of this curved, organic structure that is now in Hong Kong and will eventually travel to the US and Europe.
Watch an external and internal rendering of the Chanel Contemporary Art Container:
Video footage of the exterior taken the day the exhibit opened on February 27th in Hong Kong:
Artist statement about the art container (I'm not sure who is speaking):
Read a write-up with pictures from the Hong Kong Hustle blog about a visitor's experience visiting the Art Container.
