Project 690:

Spurt of Blood – Interactive Kinect Ballet

author tomroberts1

project date May 2013

location Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

Spurt of Blood is an interactive dance piece that utilises music, film and interactive technology to create an immersive live performance. Taking inspiration from contemporary dance companies, film makers and electronic composers, the work represents a synthesis of all mediums involved. Each output, wether it be visual or auditory, is inherently linked and all share a common creative aesthetic.

It is within this synthesis that the project finds its success. Using a compositional and filming process that focused on attributes rather than narrative, allowed the work to develop a conceptual foundation, based on Artaud’s desire to express unconscious emotions. Although at times abstract, each medium has a definite purpose, and act as a device with which to express the often bewildering script.

How was MAX used?

Using Synapse and Max at specific intervals, a Kinect camera tracks the dancer's hand movement and manipulates the accompanying soundtrack.