Project Overview:
This is a project for Artist Mikael Owunna.
We are creating a tool/system to cast 4 visual treatments/effects onto 5 dancing performers on the stage that will follow their body shape/movement.
Each visual treatment is expected to be 15 minutes long (Total 1 hour), but loopable. (For example, 1 minute long treatment multiplied by 15 times)
Mikael’s Practice:
Hand paint light-sensitive pigment onto the model’s body, and use ultraviolet light (built into a custom-made camera) to cast the vivid African Cosmic patterns. Inspired by stories and African myths.
Deliverables:
- A functional system of tracking multi performers’ body movement
- All codes, software used, all files and plugins, essentially everything needed to run the system.
- 4 visual treatments and other related graphics
- A function to activate and deactivate visual treatments when needed (for specific parts of the acts)
- The speed of the visual treatments should be adjustable without using code/going into nodes.
- List of equipment used
- User guide for future setup
- Technical Demo
Visual Treatments:
The 4 visual treatments (mostly monochromatic) are inspired by four ages of humanity/nature in Igbo Philosophy:
| Age Name | About | Visual Style | Reference |
| Uga Aka | Unity, Purity | Dynamic Backdrop. Using ODU patterns as particles, randomized those groups to create a pattern. |  |
| Uga Chi | Self-Awareness, death | White Backdrop, Black mapping onto the performers. |  |
| Uga Anwu | Sun, War. Chaos | Black backdrop.Dynamic Squiggly Projections representing chaos |  |
| Uga Azi | Backwardness | White Backdrop.Black mapping and black particles emanating from bodies |  |
Technologies:
Hardware:
- Azure Kinect or other applicable RGBD hardware that can be used to track 5 performers from a distance. (Note that ideally the camera system should be able to travel to different locations)
- High-def projector(s)
Software: TouchDesigner or other software that allows the integration between tracking and visual generation.
Mood Boards:
By the end of this week, the artists have created 4 mood boards (listed below) matching to the 4 Acts, and they are sent to Mikael for his critique.
