Videos Above: Numeric Variations – Tania Fraga details the process of the dance and technical considerations exploring neural connections – Video: 01:50 min (top) and 08:10 min (bottom)

(2014) – February (6 to 14 ?) MindFluctuations Research Residency: Instituto de Matematica e Arte (IMA) – São Paulo, Brazil
Participants: Tania Fraga, Mauro Pichiliani, Donizetti Louro, Pedro Garci and others at the Institute of Mathematics and Art (Brazil), with Maida Withers (USA), and with Mirtes Calheiros and Ederson Lopez, dancers (Brazil).

Residency:  São Paulo, Brazil
(1) process of capturing emotional states from Emotive Neuro Helmet
(2) computer interface – 3D animation impacted autonomously in the computer
(3) projection of the animation, creating an immersive performance environment on stage

(1) Above:  Maida Withers – origin of emotional states gathered by Emotive Neuro Helmet

(2) Above:  Computer verifies the Emotive connection to the wearer’s skull

3.  Above: Data on the computer – what is projected into the performance space

Below:
MindFluctuations Program – Eleven projected “moving worlds” by Tania Fraga
 
I.   The Egg / The Beginning

II.  Blackness / Underworld

III.  Obcess / Flocks of Animals and Prey

IV.  She / Turned Away

V.  Mathematical Brain / Is Anyone Out There?

(Searching for VI. virtual world image – I believe this is the violin scene – I cannot locate an image to use here)
VI.  Civilization / Grip-Boundaries 

VII.  Brain that Creates Art / Offering 

VIII.  Brain – Maker of Things / Monster Within (Man)

IX. Collaboration / Virtue Exposed

X.  Whiteness / Transcendency 

XI.  Panspermia / Seeding the Universe with Life

For more information please read online: Tania Fraga’s article of investigation on line:  MindFluctuations:  Poetic, Aesthetic and Technical Considerations of a Dance Spectacle Exploring Neural Connections. 

Maida Withers and Tania Fraga: Research Residency, São Paulo, Brazil

Withers activities following the Brazil research residency:
Maida travelled with with Ederson and Mirtes (Cia Artes Sãos do Corpo) to São Carlos, Brazil, a university city about 2 hours from São Paulo,  the city where colleagues Cia Artes Sãos were performing.  Maida Withers Dance Construction Company previously performed in a festival in São Carlos:  Dance of the Auroras – Fire in the Sky, stage work, and. also, presented the documentary film on the science and art of Dance of the Auroras.

Withers travelled to Buenos Aires, Argentina  to present six original dance film shorts, a public event sponsored by Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA).  During that time, Maida became acquainted with many artists and others working with technology.  There was an amazing intensity about their interest in dance and interactive technology.  Withers collaborated with Objeto-a, a performance in the gallery of Lujan Oulton devoted to art and technology in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Of special interest was a”live” interview videotaped and projected back into the the interview arena through a process where the dance footage was interfaced with the “Isadora” video program by Maximiliano Wille, musician and “Isadora” expert : (https://vimeo.com/554723257)

What the press is saying

"The main question is to inquire about the related possibilities to intertwine human affective states with computer autonomous processes." Lauris Brazil

"La presencia de Maida es un verdadero acontecimiento para nuestra escena dancística local, ya que se trata de una de las investigadoras más osadas e interesantes del mundo en la intersección entre movimiento, cuerpo y tecnología." María José Lavandera

"En su visita a la Argentina, Maida Withers directora de Dance Construction Company, realizó una entrevista perfomática con el colectivo artístico A.Mo.Ver y Objeto à." Melina Masnatta