The AVA Project is a series of trans-media performances and installations exploring the delicate relationship between humanity, technology, and creativity. Envisioned by artist and RPI Professor of Electronic Arts, Kathleen Ruiz, The AVA Project brings together a unique collaboration of six artists in dance, music, sound design and the visual arts.
The artists are dancer-choreographer Vicky Shick, virtual choreographer and dancer Lisa Naugle, composers Elise Kermani and Sarah Plant, visual artist Barbara Kilpatrick, and digital media artist Kathleen Ruiz. AVA is an animated human figure, an archetype or synthetic embodiment (avatar) that is projected onto the set of the dance performance with interactive and composed sound and sculptural set objects.
The AVA Project explores the artists' interplay with each other and with technology. Like technology itself, Ava becomes a compelling figment capable of transforming our imagination - exactly how remains to be seen.
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Kathleen Ruiz - animation / project design
Elise Kermani - sound composition / interactive design
Barbara Kilpatrick - set design / set objects
Lisa Naugle - motion capture / live choreography
Sarah Plant - composer (acoustic music segments)
Vicky Shick - live choreography
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1. PROLOGUE: ToySpace
Immateriality/Physicality - the suspension of disbelief
2. HOMUNCULI
Creation & Interplay
3. FIGMENT
Interchange
4. ORPHANED SPACE
Is Ava a part of us or are we a part of it - her?
5. TWIN COAT
The nature of humans
6. MIMICRY (Solo Flight)
joy of human endeavor
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The AVA Project will be presented at The
International Festival of Electronic Language: File 2002 Symposium
in Sao Paulo, Brazil, August 20, 2002 at 8PM.
The work has been developed at a series of short residencies
at The Kaatsbaan
International Dance Center Tivioli, N.Y.
It was showcased in a week-long residency, May 18-26, 2002,
culminating in a workshop performance at 7PM on May 25 at
The Arts
Center of the Capital Region in Troy, New York.
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