igloo
| Igloo?s artistic concerns lie with visual images, created by movement and affected by viewers to unfold interactive animated performance. Igloo continue to lead the field of dance and technology pioneering a new genre for the integration of complex software and realtime cameras for use in theatrical productions and installations. Igloo break new ground in that the imagery, movement and music in their work, whether CdRom, DVD, web based or hybrid performance are all balanced through the technology. Uniquely they develop their own software tools and methods of working and presenting. Their innovative methodologies for combining creative artforms create emergent technologies bringing theatrical experiences to new audiences. Digital media artist Bruno Martelli has directed experimental multimedia projects since 1992, exploring metaphysical worlds using video, internet, performance and installation Ruth Gibson is co-director and founding member of Igloo. She performs with other companies including Gaby Agis & Co, Susan Kozel & Mesh, Gary Rowe & Gorgeous. awards & exhibitionsRegional Arts Lottery Programme (RALP)2004 Winter2space3 installation, Watermans Arts Centre, London, UK 2004 Winter2space3 installation, NewForms Festival, Vancouver, Canada 2003 Winter1space2 installation, E:Media lounge, London, UK 2003 Winter1space2 installation Cambridge Drama Centre, UK 2003 Winter1space2 performance/installation Bowen West Theatre, Bedford, UK 2003 Winterspace performance/installation, Chancellor Hall, Chelmsford, UK 2003 Winterspace performance/installation, Colchester Arts Centre, UK 2002 Winterspace installation at Monaco Dance Forum, Monaco 2001 Winterspace installation/performance, Hoxton Hall, Londo | artist artist homepage |
work
 dotdotdot is a new web and installation work using motion capture to locate a figure in a virtual space where the user can inhabit this figure and navigate the image. dotdotdot is the net?s first interactive radio streaming motion capture project. It is a on-line virtual choreographic work where viewers select the soundtrack whilst driving the performance animations. dotdotdot: choreographies by Ruth Gibson, Antonia Grove, Steven Brett, Rick Nodine. Interactive media Bruno Martelli, Guy Hilton. Design Igloo. Special Thanks to Company InSpace and Marshall White, Televirtual & Vicon. An igloo production, commissioned by Future Physical Commission in association with essexdance and online support from SCAN We have version 1.0 online already. We plan to add a user interface, a more integrated radio tuner and several more characters to complement the existing five. We are also developing methods of presentation. We have previously exhibited the work as a 2 plasma screen installation in Cambridge. As well as via the net we are looking at several presentation possibilites. 1. Presented with laptop attached to plasma screens. 2. Distributed around the venue in a console or space invader table version. 3. Utilising novel interaction methods for controlling the characters, eg Data Glove, trackball, touch screen, stereoscopic display. Technics Optimised for WindowsXP with IE 5.2 - will run in OS X & Os 9.2 and but may crash browser when closing the window.) Requires the Shockwave plugin and Real Player or iTunes. The Radio tuner in the movie opens stream in player. The player can then be minimised. |
 Commissioned by Future Physical in association essexdance as an installation 2002. Online version produced in association with SCAN, 2005. Currently it can be seen adapted for the web as part of the Data Agency exhibition curated by SCAN www.scansite.org and also on the Igloo website www.igloo.org.ukA landscape from beyond the edges of the browser window that gives glimpses of unseen places. dotdotdot is constructed using several different motion capture systems and improvised performances creating abstract digital portraits. These animated avatars move and react to players inputs within an online virtual environment. Tech Requirements: Optimised for WindowsXP with IE 5.2 or Mozilla Firefox ? will run in Mac OS X & Os 9.2 but may crash browser when closing the window. Requires the Shockwave plugin and Real Player Description: dotdotdot provides a good example of the ways in which practitioners using old media and new media can collaborate to produce an ongoing body of work challenging the canons from which each component of the work orginates. Using motion capture, web tools, animation, games engines, sound and movement dotdotdot presents a series of animated interactive vignettes. These can be manipulated in terms of speed, sound, rotation and movement so that the basis of the range of visuals on offer stays the same but also so that the viewer/player can change them to accommodate their own preferences. Each work has an Igloo signature but it allows the viewer to manipulate, play and be creative - after years of artists striving for truly interactive work, dotdotdot knowingly works with the limitations of interactivity in order to give the piece a characteristic style, The viewer/player is presented with a range of choices involving genre orientated radio stations (you can choose drum & bass through to chart music) and a variety of visuals such as red, dot, bendy and plane. All these permutations and combinations together with the ability to interact with the animated figures in terms of speed and rotation challenge the viewer to think about the visual and audio styles in relation to their own experience of video, sound, animation and movement drawn from a variety of sources in day to day culture. The project, which has been ongoing, is the product of Ruth Gibson, a dancer who is specifically looking at development of movement in the context of motion capture, and a programmer Bruno Martelli, who is interested in pushing the limits of technology in real physical contexts. The artists draw in expertise and collaborators as and when they need and the quality of the work is enhanced with every reworking. Their animations reflect these concerns with their 3D quality combined with recognisability of the human form in spite of the abstractness of the animated shape. Helen Sloan, Director - SCAN |
 Winter space is a large scale audio-visual environment. A beautiful 3-D snowscape subtly responds to your presence. Contemplative and magical Winter2space3 promises to be an enchanting experience in a virtual interstellar frozen wonderland.Viewers enter an intimate dark space. In front are large screens showing images of virtual snow. The virtual snow is computer generated and in fact reacts to the prescence of the viewers. The snow reacts by flurrying left and right depending on the viewers movements and react more the faster they move. In addition another computer controls an interactive soundtrack generator. The soundtrack comprises a ?library? of loops which the computer mixes at random overlaying samples from another sound ?library?. The sound libraries have been perpared in advance by the composer and easily combine and mix with each other giving rise to an ever changing soundscape. Winter2space3 has been installed in different configurations for different sites with between 1 and 3 screens. Winter2space3 has been presented with its companion piece, a live performance. The performance is an extension of the installation. It is intended that visitors to the installation will be interested to return to watch the live performance. In the live performance set up, seats will replace floor cushions. The performance begins with a section of virtual snow, as for the installation, which gradually stops falling and stars begin to appear. The positioning of two screens, in front of and above, allows the viewer to feel immersed by both performance and installation. In the stars section viewers will begin to discern human figures dancing in space. Carefully composed choreography draws viewers on a magical journey. The visual presentation of both the installation and performance are comprised of white dots on a black background. At one point in the performance there is a lull in the soundtrack, which allows viewers to realise that they are witnessing a live performance (as opposed to watching a pre-recorded film). The audience participants will be able to hear the footfalls of the dancers on the other side of the screen. The performance is divided into sections, and each section comprises choreography with varying dynamics, some fast some slow. When the dancers are still they merge into the background. The performance ends with a short film of real snow rushing towards the audience. The work has been through several completely different versions of soundtrack, choreography, visual design, software etc. hence the versions ie. Winterspace, Winter1space2 and so on. We have been showing the installation by itself due to popular demand and to avoid the complexity of setting up the live part. Winterspace has been presented as both a standalone installation and toured with its accompannying performance ? Online demo on the igloo website at http://www.igloo.org.uk/winter1space2 Credits: An installation by igloo Artists: Ruth Gibson, Bruno Martelli, Guy Hilton, Alex Woolner Original Score: Luke Pither Supported by: Arts Council England East, essexdance, CIDA, 3M, European Communication Technology, Arts Council England London, Colchester Arts Centre, Hoxton Hall, The Junction Technics Technical details Winter2space3 Requirements (for a typical 2 screen setup of installation) 3 x Apple Macintosh computer 2 with Belkin USB video adaptors 2 x video projector 2 x Back projection screens (4.2mx3m with hanging points at each corner) 1 x IR Video camera Infra Red Lighting Gel Leads Room with full blackout at least 8.5m wide x 9m long x 3.5m tall for 2 screen version 1 x stereo speakers and amplifier (takes audio signal from computer) 1 or 2 x small theatrical spotlights and stands (depending on space) misc chandlery eg. Safety Chains /Gaffa tape, Stage weights, Rope Floor cushions (optional) |
