Theses and Dissertations
This collection includes both ASU Theses and Dissertations, submitted by graduate students, and the Barrett, Honors College theses submitted by undergraduate students.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3
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- All Subjects: Dance
- Creators: Turaga, Pavan
Description
This thesis aims to explore the language of different bodies in the field of dance by analyzing
the habitual patterns of dancers from different backgrounds and vernaculars. Contextually,
the term habitual patterns is defined as the postures or poses that tend to re-appear,
often unintentionally, as the dancer performs improvisational dance. The focus lies in exposing
the movement vocabulary of a dancer to reveal his/her unique fingerprint.
The proposed approach for uncovering these movement patterns is to use a clustering
technique; mainly k-means. In addition to a static method of analysis, this paper uses
an online method of clustering using a streaming variant of k-means that integrates into
the flow of components that can be used in a real-time interactive dance performance. The
computational system is trained by the dancer to discover identifying patterns and therefore
it enables a feedback loop resulting in a rich exchange between dancer and machine. This
can help break a dancer’s tendency to create similar postures, explore larger kinespheric
space and invent movement beyond their current capabilities.
This paper describes a project that distinguishes itself in that it uses a custom database
that is curated for the purpose of highlighting the similarities and differences between various
movement forms. It puts particular emphasis on the process of choosing source movement
qualitatively, before the technological capture process begins.
the habitual patterns of dancers from different backgrounds and vernaculars. Contextually,
the term habitual patterns is defined as the postures or poses that tend to re-appear,
often unintentionally, as the dancer performs improvisational dance. The focus lies in exposing
the movement vocabulary of a dancer to reveal his/her unique fingerprint.
The proposed approach for uncovering these movement patterns is to use a clustering
technique; mainly k-means. In addition to a static method of analysis, this paper uses
an online method of clustering using a streaming variant of k-means that integrates into
the flow of components that can be used in a real-time interactive dance performance. The
computational system is trained by the dancer to discover identifying patterns and therefore
it enables a feedback loop resulting in a rich exchange between dancer and machine. This
can help break a dancer’s tendency to create similar postures, explore larger kinespheric
space and invent movement beyond their current capabilities.
This paper describes a project that distinguishes itself in that it uses a custom database
that is curated for the purpose of highlighting the similarities and differences between various
movement forms. It puts particular emphasis on the process of choosing source movement
qualitatively, before the technological capture process begins.
ContributorsIyengar, Varsha (Author) / Xin Wei, Sha (Thesis advisor) / Turaga, Pavan (Committee member) / Coleman, Grisha (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2016
Description
When dancers are granted agency over music, as in interactive dance systems, the actors are most often concerned with the problem of creating a staged performance for an audience. However, as is reflected by the above quote, the practice of Argentine tango social dance is most concerned with participants internal experience and their relationship to the broader tango community. In this dissertation I explore creative approaches to enrich the sense of connection, that is, the experience of oneness with a partner and complete immersion in music and dance for Argentine tango dancers by providing agency over musical activities through the use of interactive technology. Specifically, I create an interactive dance system that allows tango dancers to affect and create music via their movements in the context of social dance. The motivations for this work are multifold: 1) to intensify embodied experience of the interplay between dance and music, individual and partner, couple and community, 2) to create shared experience of the conventions of tango dance, and 3) to innovate Argentine tango social dance practice for the purposes of education and increasing musicality in dancers.
ContributorsBrown, Courtney Douglass (Author) / Paine, Garth (Thesis advisor) / Feisst, Sabine (Committee member) / Turaga, Pavan (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2017
Description
Though often viewed as a positive aspect of past, modern, and future interpersonal interaction, communities can be viewed under a microscope as a tool used by the human species to preserve oneself. Communities are used as a safety tool to assure the longevity of an individual. As a dancer and dancemaker, taking part in the art of dance challenges one's perception of large groups of bodies taking up space. Following a global pandemic, dancers and people alike were forced to find communities of much smaller sizes to appease the need to interact with other people. This caused the creation of safety pods and the urge to connect with others in ways that were not always favored. How did individuals suffer from a lack of interpersonal connection? Does the need for communities highlight a higher level of codependency amongst individuals who prefer relying on communities? Is this morally wrong? This thesis uses research obtained from ethical theories, travel research, and movement research to determine whether or not this action is morally right or wrong. This thesis uses an ethnographic style of writing to navigate through the creative process of dancemaking for an evening-length dance show, further analyzing the individual need for communities. This reflective writing defends the thesis and includes new revelations on the topic of communities and self-preservation.
ContributorsKing, Takela (Author) / Lerman, Elizabeth (Thesis director) / Koch, Carolyn (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies, Sch (Contributor) / School of Music, Dance and Theatre (Contributor)
Created2022-05