Synaisthe
2011
cohen new works festival, university of Texas Austin
Developed & Directed by Anne McMeeking, Choreography by Chell Parkins, Media & Projections by Anne McMeeking, Lighting by Victoria Hendrix, Costumes by Bich Vu, Sound Design by Michael Howell and Taylor Kirk, Live Music & Composition by AURORAVORE, Technical Consultation from Jeff Kurihara and Eric Gazillo
Synaisthe is an intermedia dance performance that premiered in March 2011 at the University Co-op Presents the Cohen New Works Festival, at the University of Texas at Austin. The context of Synaisthe is two-fold. In one aspect, the work lives in the world of theatrical design, emerging technologies, storytelling practices, and performance theory. In its subject matter, Synaisthe is in conversation with human perception, cognitive science,neurology, synesthesia, and the exploration of individual experience.
“Learning about the world is like this- watching and waiting for shapes to reveal
themselves in the fog of our experience.”
“The creation of Synaisthe came about as a result of three major aims. A design and technology centered devising process, immersive interaction, and exploration of non-traditional collaborative structures.”
This event, driven by a technology centered devising process, included; dance, live music, infrared motion tracking floor projection system, video media creation via live midi musical interface, contact dance audio-hacked walkman, all culminating in an audience inclusive dance party.
“With an intense flavor, the feeling sweeps down my arm and into my hand. I can feel it
as if I’m actually grasping it. There is nothing to see, of course, but I have a sense of
movement.”
“The colours are seen inside my mind. It’s like another transparent layer of meaning seen
simultaneously.”
Video of the development of our second movement, where we utilized our flexible Tendo projection ground cloth to create a landscape of motion interplay.
“The shapes are not distinct from hearing – they are part of what hearing is.
”