Modulations: Demonstrations & Discussions of Interactive Performance
An evening of interactive performance curated by Jim Ruxton
Opening Night: Presented May 9th at 8pm

"Living" Light for Dance
by Axel Morgenthaler & Jocelyne Montepetit
Presented Thursday May 9th at 9 pm

Choreographer Jocelyn Montpetit and visual artist Axel Morgenthaler have collaborated on five separate projects since 1997. During this time, Morgenthaler has used a three-dimensional tracking system to create vivid lighting environments for Montpetit's dance creations. Its seamless integration into the dance produces a strong bond between visual creation and the choreographic process. This lecture will focus on the system's capabilities, the experiences and implications for the dancer manipulating a real-time lighting environment, and the opportunities for visual creation. Morgenthaler's philosophy is that light exists and interacts with its environment on three distinctive levels.

First, it permits us to enjoy and experience the beauty of things, the textures and colors. It allows the viewer to experience the flow of gestures in space, to witness the expression of emotions in a face. Lighting states and dynamic lighting changes interact with the constant flow of movement of objects and humans. This powerful interaction affects our interpretation of what we are viewing; it shapes our emotional and cerebral attachments. It creates a visual language at least as powerful as our written and oral language.

On a second level, light becomes the object itself. Usually, light is only perceived through reflection or refraction on material things. Seldom do we look at the light source itself. However, a subtle marriage of light and materials can make us believe that light is creating the architecture of space. We are given the impression that light is defining boundaries and creating ephemeral objects we believe we can touch.

On the third level, such ephemeral lighting objects become vibrant and animated. Light becomes the subject rather than the object described above. Light gains its own path, humour, character and intelligence. Its movement and appearance is organic and unpredictable, full of elegance and grace.

Using both this philosophy and a three-dimensional tracking system, Morgenthaler can create visual images that can then interact with Montpetit's movement. An adapted ultrasonic wireless microphone is used as the small tracking device, never visible to the audience. Based on ultrasound triangulation, the system provides x/y/z co-ordinates of the performer to the lighting control system, updated up to 40 times per second. This information is then processed in real time in a computer that interacts with the lighting board. Complex relationships between lighting and movement can thus be created based on this input. The interactive system serves as an additional tool in Morgenthaler's lightscapes for Montpetit's dances.

The pair will explain the technology available, and demonstrate the system's capabilities. Also to be discussed is the integration of the system in the creative process that occurs while staging the production, and its implications for the choreographic development. The relationship between body, space and light becomes an important aspect of this work, and Montpetit will discuss how her inspiration for movement is often linked to the movement of the light. Finally, video extracts of the performances will be shown to demonstrate the various aspects of the creative process during the last five productions in which this team has worked together.

Alex Morgenthaler - Biography
Axel Morgenthaler is working as scenographer, lighting designer and multimedia artist. He has created over 60 set and lighting designs for companies like LaLaLa Human Steps, Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, O Vertigo Danse, Marie Chouinard, and Robert Lepage. His own multimedia installations revolving around the theme of light have been shown in France, New York and Quebec. He is co-founder of the design company Photonic Dreams.

Jocelyne Montpetit - Biography

Jocelyne Montpetit is an internationally known choreographer, dancer and teacher. She received her training in dance with the most renowned artists in Canada, France, Poland and Japan. Her company Jocelyne Montpetit Danse, was founded in 1990. Ms. Montpetit has been Director of the Movement section of the National Theatre School of Canada.