Desquamation

Desquamation is a three-part choreographic work that challenges viewer experience of socio-cultural identity theories through an interactive, 360 degree-video lens. This work seeks to explore the impact of interactive three-hundred-and-sixty (360) degree- video through dance and socio-cultural theory. In this work, the power dynamics of the traditional performer-to-audience relationship shifts, introducing a new layer of interaction into the [virtual] performance space. Traditionally, audience members viewing dance-films are asked to be passive in their engagement with the work. In this exploration, project collaborators seek to transform the viewer's experience as an audience member from static to active. The objective of the selected performance medium serves to provide audience members agency, by being in control of their own gaze, in their experience and interpretation of the work. Audience member experiences vary upon a number of factors including (but not limited to): order of videos viewed, location of dancer on-screen, setting, choreographic and/or sonic meaning-making, and/or lived experience. Desquamation aims to exhibit the interconnectedness of socio-cultural voyeurism, dance, and race through a fresh, interactive lens of 360° video technology. The interdisciplinary collaborations explored in this work demonstrate the use of technology, choreographic and cultural movement practices, and theoretical and philosophical perspectives on movement that aim to diversify the spectrum of movement computing and technology in the future.