Trackers
Merce Cunningham, 1987

Links
Hotwired article
Article about Dance and Technology
Info about LifeForms
Merce Cunningham's website
LifeForms website

Within a few minutes, the dancers have introduced a new population of shapes that are awkward and delicate, though often powerful. Most of them are completely outside the familiar universe of dance movement. A basic walk turns into a collaboration of limbs; the dancers combine primitive images and complex, independent rhythms, all overlaid onto a simple traveling motion. They pace around to one rhythm; their arms move to another rhythm. Each arc, swivel, and wave is so distinctive, it's as if fragments of the gesture were plotted and timed completely independently, then applied inside the structure of a phrase. Critics have said that some of Cunningham's work looks odd at first, but admit it all has a curious power.
source

Trackers is identified as Merce Cunningham's first use of computer aided choreography. In the world of dance, Cunninghams involvement has established the use of new technology to help generate new movements and positions. He used the software LifeForms - developed at SFU - and choreographed a dance piece that he felt would not have been possible without the use of the software.

Cunningham is quoted as having expected technology to enhance and improve the opportunities for the world of dance. His success as a choreographer/dancer didn't hinder his interest in exploring new terrain. And he successfully beta tested a first word in new dance tech.

Submitted by
Daniel Hirschmann

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