Ada Huang

I keep journals on one Notion post that way is more organized for me~ Also easier fro multi-media documentation
Here is the LINK

For the presentation, I wanted to show a progress of my work including: what I have been doing, what is my thesis, and how thesis evolves along with my experiments and peers feedbacks!

Since last time we had a rehearsal presentation, so for the final ones I changed the slide’s structure a bit, according the feedbacks I received since last session and focused on iterations of my sketches. Though during the presentation I spent most of the time on reading notes and didn’t go through all of slides I prepared.

One major feedbacks I received was people get confused of what my next step is. I mentioned in the very first several slides saying the final form of delivery will be an interactive performance between dancer and projections. However I think the main issue here is I had not make clear connection between why I am making this sketches and how they are part of thesis research. (But to be honest, thoughts are still scattered  if I dig deep into the reasoning of making, It is not solid…) As I am saying , starting with sketches is only beginning step of getting myself use to the library and informations I could be dealing with… So I am as confused as my audiences, but maybe I should of let them know that.

Few other feedbacks I think are very helpful in the direction of making were:
1. consider live streaming as a form of digital performances – This one is easy to experiment with
2. performances consideration – perspective of viewing, screening or projection? environment/stage design
3. What dance aesthetics that only the performances could bring that video/music will not ?

Those are questions I keep in journal as I am moving forward.

During the meeting, I introduced my prototype idea and full scope of the work expectation to my mentor Andrew, who from my understanding has many experiences with performance art form.

The feedbacks I asked were:
1/ How he thinks the current version of interaction could provide better narratives of the theme to the audience/participants 

2/ How to think about the body of work in this context of performance art.

The feedbacks I received are very informative and rich.
He first concluded the experience of interaction in three words: Nostalgic, melodic, and psychological. Andrew asks me to think the performance as curation and responses. Who participants what and why audiences invest into the curated experience? He mentioned think of it as many micro realities happen all at once. He mentioned sketch a storyboard and think of scenario prior and after the key event.

As I am writing down his feedbacks, I realize I know nothing about performance art form. So I looked up a book about performance art, specifically interactive performance with new media and history of theory.
 Digital Performance : A History of New Media in Theater, Dance, Performance Art, and Installation

I need to read this along the process of experimenting. 

Have 3 things to update with him for the next meeting happen on 04/24

1/ filled storyboard
2/ play test feedback
3/ refined narratives about the theory

Attended peer feedback session this morning and received some help feedbacks, notes listed below

Ai asked “How are you going to bridge the form of performance with the theme”
A: The performance aim to set up an environment envisioning 50 years from now where our generation becomes old and still have the idea of going into a club. Club is an gesture referring to the influence of current pop-culture scene. Envisioning the elder life in a possitive vibe feels like a therapy of dealing with my personal anxiety for aging.

Yinyi questioned “Fear of Death = Fear of aging, are they the same ?”
A: I have not questioned the words “Fear for” because to some extent I somehow generalized them. Worth thinking

Sarah pointed out
Performance (especially VJ), in her experience, always a specifically curated experience collage.
Differentiating the universal experience/content/context from personal speaking.
Having the common acknowledgment for aging, thinking of what media content  is specifically curated for the use.
Also consider what aspects to include throughout formal presentation. (i.e skincare propaganda)

Jaye mentioned
The different perception of elderly between western and eastern.
What is the tone of the project, utopian or apocalyptic?

After thoughts: 
1/ Is “club culture” really representative for our generation/pop-culture?
2/ Is the performance aim to evoke an empathetic experience or to be evoking in certain direction?

02/02/2022

I had the first meeting with Sarah.

I proposed my idea, a very scattered idea to her, about doing an installation to demonstrate the collective power of small things.

And how I want the thesis based on the context of ageism in our societal activities.

I also mentioned elderly dance and aging body movements because I always hear professional dancers talking about planning their early retirement (around the age of 35!) when they feel like they will no longer be considered good dancers.

In my thought process, Ann Hamilton’s work appears instantly.

She is very good at using tiny objects, stacks, piles, etc.

Throughout our conversation, 2 things she mentioned inspired me to make this note:

1. The way of interactivity is constantly forming my work.

• a relationship that points to a certain mental path that reminisces with the others
• but s not the only way to interactivity

2. The form of delivery should evolve along with the research process.

Hi !
⬆️ She didn’t say much and left the room