Synopsis
BODILY FUTURES: DANCE and AI is the result of an evolving interdisciplinary and multimodal research project which is focused on the intersection between AI and human creativity in a Contemporary Dance making. This interactive Talk is based on the ongoing discussions and propositions between a choreographer, a cognitive-linguist, a computer researcher and five Contemporary Dancers, highlights a practical application, combining human dance data and LSTM generated sequences collected over the process of a year, to mirror the process of human creativity in Dance and offer AI generated movement gestures back to the human to welcome the unfamiliar and new reflections on choice-making.
We closely examine how LSTM-generated sequences, derived from learned dance data (using BL_Method), can convey expressive qualities through a variety of movements. This project offers novel perspectives on how technology can enrich artistic expression and challenge habitual decision-making in dance.By creating a generative AI model – specifically using Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks, to entice human creativity in Contemporary Dance-making based on The Body Logic (BL) Method— a compositional approach grounded in cognitive science designed to challenge inherited habits and practices in Contemporary Dance.
Bio
Cláudia Sevivas holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from the Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon. She conducted post-doctoral research at the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences focused on documenting artistic projects in contemporary dance, where she explored the use of 3D motion capture systems with the aim of developing new representations and visualizations of movement. Subsequently, she completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Faculty of Sciences where she trained and developed deep learning algorithms for emotion recognition in images. She is currently a professor and coordinator of the Creative Computing and Artificial Intelligence master’s degree at IADE – Creative University.
Sylvia Rijmer | Superior School of Dance / Professor
Sylvia Rijmer is a dance artist working at the intersection of dance, science, and technology. Using an invented improvisational task-based method, the Body Logic Method, and technology (VR, 3D motion capture, AI), she explores human cognition, habit, and creative decision-making to encounter alternative possibilities for choreographic thinking, making and visualising. Sylvia holds a BFA from the Juilliard School and an MA from the Superior School of Dance. She is currently on the dance faculty at the Superior School of Dance (Lisbon), where she teaches in the bachelor degree program and supervises in the master’s degree program. She is a recipient of the IDI&CA2023 funding for her ongoing research in dance and AI.
Vito conducted post-doctoral research on cognitive semiotics, metaphors, gestures, and epistemic stance at RWTH Aachen University in Germany, teaching Master’s courses in Media Informatics from 2009-2014. He held a FIIRD fellowship at the University of Geneva for research on multimodal cognitive semiotics related to religious and spiritual thought. He lectured at the University of Palermo to begin his doctoral training, conducting research at the University of California-Berkeley and Case Western Reserve. His research focuses on the intersection of language, culture, and cognition, particularly in multimodal cognitive semiotics and symbolic systems like religion and the arts. He is interested in multimodal metaphors and their applications in fields such as psychotherapy and forensic interviews, aiming to understand the epistemic stance of speakers in natural media.
Project Description
BODILY FUTURES: DANCE and AI is an evolving interdisciplinary and multimodal research project that dives into the fascinating intersection between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and human creativity within the realm of Contemporary Dance making. This interactive talk, which invites public participation, encapsulates a year-long journey of exploration and collaboration among a diverse team comprising a choreographer, a cognitive linguist, a computer researcher, and five Contemporary dancers.
The central aim of this project is to highlight a practical application that intersects human dance data with AI-generated sequences. Over the span of a year, the team has collected data and employed Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks to generate sequences that mirror the process of human creativity in dance. In doing so, the project endeavors to offer AI-generated movement gestures back to human dancers, encouraging them to embrace the unfamiliar to invite new reflections on choice-making in dance.
A key focus of this research is to closely examine how LSTM-generated sequences, derived from learned dance data through the Body Logic (BL) Method, can convey expressive movement qualities through a variety of movement sequences. The BL Method, a compositional approach grounded in cognitive attention, is specifically designed to challenge inherited habits and practices in Contemporary Dance. By integrating this method with AI, the project seeks to entice human creativity, enriching artistic expression and challenging habitual decision-making processes.
Moreover, the talk extends beyond the practical application of AI in dance. It encourages public participation by sharing insights into the decision-making processes from the perspectives of various collaborators: the dance-maker, the cognitive-linguist, the computer researcher, and the contemporary dance artists. This inclusive approach aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how AI can be utilized as a tool for creative decision-making.
In addition to the use of AI, the project incorporates Virtual Reality (VR) to further enhance the exploration of dance and technology, whereby VR serves as a medium to immerse participants in a creative process, offering a unique perspective on the integration of AI-generated movements and human dance. This immersive experience allows for a deeper engagement with the research, fostering a more profound understanding of how technology can influence and inspire artistic practice.
Ultimately, BODILY FUTURES: DANCE and AI offers novel perspectives on the role of technology in artistic expression. By creating a generative AI model based on the BL Method, the project not only enriches the creative process in contemporary dance but also challenges conventional decision-making habits. This talk is an invitation to explore the future of dance and AI, welcoming the public to participate in a groundbreaking journey that redefines the boundaries of human creativity and technological innovation.
Project funded by: IPL/IDI&CA2023/BL_Method_ESD
