Gestures, interfaces and other secrets of the stage

Eva Sjuve

pp. 301-312

in: Randy Adams, Steve Gibson, Stefan Müller Arisona (eds), Transdisciplinary digital art. sound, vision and the new screen, Berlin, Springer, 2008

Abstract

This paper is examining the use of wearable technology, interfaces, and augmented performance, from the 1880s until today's computational devices. The combination of unmediated (face-to-face) and mediated (via a medium) performance in the performing arts, was made possible by the creative use of electricity, as technological enhanced performance. The performing arts, with a long tradition of collaborations in art and technology, went through a large change when electricity entered the stage. During the early days of electric innovation, engineers created electrical devices using movements to generate light and sound. They built interfaces to enhance dramatic acts, and introduced wearable technology to the general audience. Experimentation took place in the theatre, at public lectures, as entertainment, and as scientific diversions. The performance of early scientific and artistic experiments is explored, as a background to the contemporary experimentation in wearable technology coupling light and sound.