Arttech: Performance and Embodiment in Technology for Resilience and Mental Health

Abstract

This workshop explores socially expressive technology design using collaborative principles of theater, dance and music. Building on shared roots of making something together, technologies (including virtual agents, physical devices, storytelling multimedia) and artistic provocation can create playful, productive and healthy experiences for communities. How do we: Improve collaboration between performance art and creative technology? Design apps and artistic collaboration/learning for mental health? Use theater performativity and technology to enhance our lives? As smart devices become ubiquitous, yet solidarity and cooperation remain elusive in competitive/hierarchical societies, understanding how performance art and technology collaborate can improve how we work, play and care for our and each other's health. This workshop is a forum and creative space to discuss and play with the future of performative expression and collaborative computing. We welcome researchers and practitioners from varied disciplines including technical implementation, design, theater, dance, improv, physiology and psychology. The program features collaborative creation modules across the expressive human spectrum (movement, sound, text) using digital dramaturgy (Budde, 2017) and pleasure of learning (Brecht, 2001). It also includes participants' presentations, expert talks and videos exploring the expressive side of computing technology. Accepted applicants are invited to share perspectives and collaborate on creative exercises on art/artefacts/artificiality.