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Performance

Description

For this project you will be making a tool for an interactive performance. This project has two parts: (1) Design and code a tool for a performance (2) Design a performance for that tool that will be performed for the class during our critique.

Requirements:

  1. Your performance tool will make use of the ml5.js library. You can use BodyPose, HandPose, FaceMesh or SoundClassifier.
  2. The aesthetic design of your tool should add to your performance. Default shapes are discouraged unless they strictly relate to your performance.
  3. The duration of your performance should be no longer than 5 minutes.
  4. Your performance should not be a simple demonstration of the tool.
  5. Your performance should be rehearsed and recorded in advanced

There are many ways to approach this project. You might make a mask that you use to give a performative speech or sing a song that responds to words using the ml5.js SoundClassifier. You might choreograph a short movement work that provides data to the ml5.js BodyPose. You might create a musical instrument that is played by tracking your fingers with ml5.js HandPose. Or, you might use the FaceMesh in ml5.js to creates a live warping video that dynamically responds to the movement and location of your face as you chant. These are only some of the many ways to approach this project. The main goals of this project are the explore the available tools for motion capture and to use these tools to examine the aesthetic and conceptual possibilities of performing with code.

For this project, you will be paired in groups of two. It is imperative for this project that both students work on the coding to get an understanding of the ml5.js library. It is not required that both students perform in the performance. Play to your strengths and background. If one of you has experience with dance or movement, consider collaborating on a project that plays to those strengths. The goal of this project is to push our understanding of the body’s relationship to code. For those not use to performing, this may feel uncomfortable at times. Feel free to check in with me at the start of the project and we can work together to craft a performance that works for your group.

Resources

Submit

  • Submit your final p5.js sketch to Discord.
  • Submit a link to the video recording of your performance.