March 20th Lab

  What can we learn from artificial intelligence? Are dancers and choreographers even necessary in a world where we manifest dancing figures at will, moving their bodies in ways impossible to the moving human?

    Such questions circulated the lab as we interacted with Florian’s dance “robots” on Tuesday night. Florian used lattice noise to create moving figures with controllable muscle strength. These moving figures were dazzling with impeccable release technique, as they performed intricate contortions and fluid sequences of complex choreography. The dancers attempted to follow the movement sequences of these robots, following the choreography of the figure, but found it impossible to keep up. Though the movement seemed feasible, it was much more difficult to execute in the human body, requiring strength and much endurance.

   Should we worry about our careers as artists? Not yet! While the dancing figure has the ability to create complex choreography, he has yet to discover the ability to stand up. His movement is entirely floor-bound and it would take many cycles of lattice noise to even get him into an upright position. At least human evolution gives us a bit of an advantage- at least for now! 

Video of the lattice robot exploration:

 https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?v=10151364780702308