Fabricating Performance: Reciprocal Constructs of Dance Notation

Abstract

The analogue and digital notational systems for documenting choreographic movement provide alternative strategies for spatial design. These strategies overlap architectural design and dance choreography to explore reciprocal exchanges regarding the body, geometry and methods of spatial notation. Analogue and digital notational systems are compared to illustrate a change where the notation is fed back to the performer and used as inspiration for further iterative performances. Whilst the use of analogue notation systems supports the criterion of fundamental design, they have limitations which are overcome with the use of flexible digital systems that more readily adapt to change and interrelate to a dancer’s intentions for movement creation. Performance-driven fabrication explores the practical application of this process. Two stages of ‘Performance-driven design’ and ‘Data-driven fabrication’ are combined, resulting in a spatial design and construction system that incorporates interactivity between human and robotic performers.