Composing in the TEEVE

Creating music in the TEEVE: Tele-immersive environment (TI) was a rewarding experience to me. Through my observation of Renay and Laura’s body movements on the screen, I came with a new idea – composing new music with electronic acoustic effect. The reason that I want to compose electronic music is because the dancers’ physical motion displaying on the screen looks fragmental. The dancers sometimes hidden beyond the background set (e.g. river, animal signal, geographical landscape). In addition, the TI system provides Wii remote control to adjust the dancers’ physical motion and the space on the screen. Those events give me ideas of my new dance music project. I initially brought out two electro-acoustic projects. After one and half hour rehearsal and discussion, I then combine both as one piece: “The Conceptual View of Complexity” combines two electronic acoustic compositions to depict the complicated image that I see from the screen.

During the collaborating process, I was curious about if acoustic or electronic music will affect the dancer or choreographer’s physical environment. And my partners told me that as long as the music sound fits the choreographer’s initial ideas, it works. The sound does affect the dancer’s physical response. It doesn’t matter it is generated electronically or acoustically. I, however, think the music sound, the choreography, and the TI technology affect the audience’s perception to the theme that we intend to express. Because the sound can create the mood and environment, and human body answers them.

This experience of composing music in the TEEVE is unforgettable milestone in my composition pathway. It reminds me Martha Graham’s new conception – modern dance has become more realistic. The dancers’ body movements are not sophisticated for social occasions but serve as a tool expressing what the choreographer intends to tell. From this composing experience, I learn how to work with two collaborators – dancers and TI system, how to approach the choreographer’s ideas with different genre, as well as how does the TI system and technology affect the atmosphere.