Exploring the relationship between technology and dance. Part of Digital BlackCentric Week 2024

Q & A  

You recently collaborated with the University of the Arts London and The Place on a new BA (Hons) degree course called ‘Immersive Media,’ which combines cutting-edge technology and dance.  

Tell us about the course; what do you want students to get out of it, and why do you think combining dance and digital works so well? 

For the second consecutive year of the collaboration between the University of the Arts London and The Place, supporting students' creative development alongside Herman Ho and Pierre Engelhard has been a blast. An opportunity to share choreographic methodologies, UX in performing arts, collaborative production, mocap pipeline, 3D visualisation, VR development and TouchDesigner. The Immersive Media BA has been created to promote cross-field collaborations and inspire the use of creative technology in art. All led to the students showcasing their own projects with dance and technology, encouraging exchanges across creative sectors.

What advice would you give someone keen to experiment with digital technology and dance but unsure where to start?  

It can feel overwhelming at first, but it is so exciting to experiment with digital technology in Dance. A great way to start is to first embrace experimentations within their irregularities, often uncomfortable with long processes, at times surprisingly simple. On a more practical note, learning about technologies and understanding how they work is important. This might involve tutorials, collaborating with industry peers and reading research papers. Then, regardless of where we are on our artistic journey, exploration is key to understanding how technologies can be narratively implemented into our performances. Additionally, accessibility has improved over the years, allowing experiments like my own with stylisation algorithms and deep remastering of Caribbean archives to be virtually cost-free while utilising open-source systems. However, much progress in inclusion is still needed. 

You have done incredible things throughout your career, including BBC Dance Passion, and recently joining Digital Black Dance Ecologies. What have been your favourite projects to work on and why?

A difficult question, as every single production holds a precious place in my heart. In all of them, I have poured a piece of my soul and cannot create a hierarchy between them. However, more importantly, the creative minds I have encountered inspire me today.  It is extremely cliché to drop the overused "real treasure are the friends we make along the way", but when we are developing Dance in such a collaborative environment, it is truthful to acknowledge the love and inspiration we get from many collaborators. So grateful to be working with and being inspired by Sadé Alleyne, Kristina Alleyne, Tia-Monique Uzor, Renako McDonald, Joumana Mourad, Pod Bluman, Michele Cadei, Jemima Brown, Etta Ermini, Stephen David Wakeling, Giulia Scrimieri... and many more. 

Finally, what are your future aspirations for digital technologies and dance? (e.g. how the two continue to work better together)

Dance uniquely creates connections and reaches souls across borders, making us relate to one another beyond differences. The future of digital technologies in Dance is to support experiences driven by movement while finding innovative ways to share emotions with audiences. Developing shows echoing our human experience in both stages and digital spaces is exciting. Integrating technologies that serve storytelling and invite the creation of immersive shows where audiences live through performances shaped our journey while connecting with other audience members and artists alike. Allying collective experiences with personal stories. 

Key links: 

• Learn more about Antoine Marc here - https://antoinemarc.com/ 

• Digital Black Dance Ecologies https://www.digitalblkdance.org/about/ 

• IJAD (Open Online Theatre) https://openonlinetheatre.org/about-us/ 

• Serendipity - https://www.serendipity-uk.com/event/digital-blackcentric-week-2024/  

• BBC Dance Passion - https://www.bbc.co.uk/taster/pilots/dive-into-dance-xr  

• University of the Arts London - https://www.arts.ac.uk/subjects/animation-interactive-film-and-sound/undergraduate/ba-hons-immersive-media-and-mixed-reality-lcc  

• The Place - https://theplace.org.uk/press/university-of-the-arts-london-and-london-contemporary-dance-school-at-the-place-launch-a-new-collaborative-phd-programme  

• BA (Hons) degree ‘Immersive Media'