Mellon Foundation Creative Fellowship
Brian Brooks received a 2018-2019 Mellon Foundation Creative Fellowship at the University of Washington in partnership with the Meany Center for the Performing Arts in Seattle. A new initiative in cross-discipline collaboratives, the Fellowship enabled Brooks to conduct research at the University with faculty and students over an 18-month period.
His research into Immersive Technologies has led to the development of two new projects; a creative process tool using Motion Tracking and a performative tool using Augmented Reality.
motion tracking
Using motion-tracking sensors attached to each dancer, we’re able to capture and record precise movements from our work. Beyond graphic representations and visuals, the program collects an abundance of data for each movement - including alignment, speed, direction and position - that can be used for analysis as well as documentation. The next phase of our project will produce an app that learns how each individual uniquely connects their movements, teaching the computer to generate new sequences that embody the user’s impulses and coordinations.
augmented reality
Augmented Reality layers digital media on top of your actual surroundings and can be viewed directly through your smartphone, in contrast to the headsets used for Virtual Reality. Working in collaboration with Seattle-based Omnivor Media, Brooks has been filmed from 360 degrees in a process called Volumetric Video. Once downloaded to a mobile device, his 3D image appears through the camera as if he were dancing right in front of you. The team is developing dances to be seen only through Augmented Reality, which will be accessible to anyone who downloads the app.
