The starting point of this interdisciplinary exploration project was the difference between human and robotic modes of learning and movement. A contemporary dance choreographer and two Epson C8XL production robots were brought together in a creative workshop. Their task was to develop and rehearse a robotic dance performance for the EPSON booth on the CeBIT 2017.
Theoretically, a machine is capable of performing and endlessly repeating complex movement patterns without error. But does this ability make it a good dancer?
The result of the study was a 5-minute show in which the robotic arms present a choreography developing from simple, machine-typical movements to a sophisticated and playful dance, surfing through different genres like vogue, trap, disco and electro. The musical composition has been developed from scratch, mixing toe-tapping musical references with samples of the robot’s operational noises.
The performance is enhanced by a custom-made video projection that covers both, the robotic arms and the rear wall. Inspired by the iconic visual worlds of the different music genres, the motion graphics create a music video-like stage space.
Commissioned by EPSON Europe B.V. for the CeBIT 2017
In Cooperation with Intermediate Engineering GmbH
Team URBANSCREEN
Concept: Till Botterweck
Choreography: Till Botterweck, Magali Sander Fett
Music & Sound Design: Thomas Werner
Art Direction Visuals: Alexander Trattler
Visuals on robot arms: Thorbjörn Geisler, Lukas Neumann
Robot Animation: Till Botterweck, Thorbjörn Geisler, Moritz Janis Richartz (Xenorama)
Production Manager / Concept Consultant: Janna Schmidt
Documentation
Camera and Edit: Moritz Janis Richartz (Xenorama)
Team Intermediate Engineering GmbH
Project Management & Technical Director: Tobias Wursthorn
Robot Control Development: Benjamin Wunderlich
Showcontrol, Media Server Development: Lukas Seiler, Nicholas Braren
3DS Max Scripting, Rigging Robots & Projector Stage Setup: Sebastian Jakob, Tobias Wursthorn
Robot, Projector & Media Server Operator: Frank Wagner
