Multi-Amphitheater – Collective Performance.

I’m proposing a space where the performance is no longer a one-way transmission passively absorbed by a gang of viewers. Instead, each person becomes a participant, even if just by their presence, in the creation of an audio/visual experience. In this sense, the performer should be considered to be the algorithm – the system behind the scenes that is collecting, trimming, modifying and presented the content for output. The output, however, is determined by the decisions and actions of the participants within the space.

Entrance

When a user first approaches the space, they will be asked to do one of 3 things. The request will be to upload an “asset” that they brought with them, enter their social media user name, or make an asset before entering. There are 2 stations for this at the entrance to the performance space. They can also do both. If a user chooses to create an asset, they will be presented with 3 things in order to resepond. First is a word that they will be asked to say a different word they associate with the word displayed. The second will be to respond with a noise in response to an image. And finally, they will be played a sound and asked to describe a scene for that sound. If the user should choose to enter their social media user name, words, images, sounds and videos will then be collected from the various sites that they participate in.

All of these assets will then be added to the performance assets available to all within the space.

The space is raised so that the users will not be fully aware of what is occuring in the space until they commited to entering. Once a user climbs the stairs, the space presents them 2 initial options to go up onto the raised platform or down into the lowered. All platforms are raised and lowered in a way that creates a sense of stepped seating, essentially creating a 3 part amphitheater.

Small lowered amphitheater: Slightly more intimate. Allows a closer relationship between spectators resting on the seat/steps and those performing.

Raised amphitheater: Elevates users to the level of featured performer. Provides a different viewpoint down into the other areas.

Large lowered amphitheater: The largest common gathering space. Seating reveals the nexus of all 3 presentation screens. Around the outter edge, a raised extended mezzanine level provides individual or small group resting areas.

Each of the 3 areas contain an interactive module. These curved, touch sensitive visual displays are the “controllers” for the audio and video collective performance that will be developed by the users of the space and informed by the assets that they’ve injected into the system. Each interactive module has 3 parts. 1 each for word, sound and image.

As each user interacts with an interactive module, a floor projection begins to develop as visual residue of their interactions. This residue follows each user throughout the space and, based on each individual’s residue, manipulates each visual wall surface as they approach.

At the far end of the space, adjacent to the largest amphitheater are a series of individual listening/viewing stations. These are intended to provide a reprieve from what could become an overwhelming experience for some. Others my simply enjoy the variation in affect when their residual information is being played within the mass and when it is being performed primarily to them.

Within this structure of collective performance, there is a great deal of potential developing for exploration and integration in many complex systems that are traditionally one-way.