I think what is needed on this list, and within dance and technology, is
more precision when talking about technology, rather than seeing technology
(and the work done with it) as homogenous.
It is stretching the point to claim, for example, that the work done by
Marey is motion capture - it is 'motion recording' (if we have to find a
term for it). The aim of motion capture is to record motion in a useable
form (eg for animation); 'motion recording' merely documents the motion.
One can regard the Marey's work as being a *precursor* of motion capture
(and even this is stretching the point a little) but not as equivalent to
it.
Terms such as motion capture have a very clear meaning outside of this
list, and their deliberate misuse contributes to the hype that surrounds
dance and technology, and to the lack of intelligent, informed criticism of
the work in this area.
While we are on the subject, the other term that I see routinely being
misused on this list, and within dance and technology as a whole, is
"virtual" - especially in the term "virtual dancer" - when all it is is an
animated dancer.
Andy Clarke
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Andy Clarke
78 West Kensington Court
Edith Villas
London W14 9AB
Phone: 44 (0) 171 602 3382
Email: andy@kinonet.com
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