Program Note
shadows no. 5, is a piece for a tribal-fusion belly dancer, wireless sensor network, and electronics. The choreography is derivative of Raks Sharqi, commonly known as danse orientale (Middle Eastern dance). This dance form involves slow, controlled and languid movements using deep muscle isolation. The piece experiments with notions of gesture (dance and musical) in the performance of electronic music. In the video excerpt, sensors translate the dancer’s movements into subtle and salient variations of the sonic texture. shadows no. 5 is co-written with composer and choreographer Aurie Hsu.