Re: Digital Dancing 97

Richard Povall (Richard.Povall@oberlin.edu)
Tue, 08 Apr 1997 07:49:11 -0500

>
>In response to Richard's post mentioning shinkansen (their homepage is
>http://www.backspace.org/shinkansen/ for those of you interested in the
>dance-tech directions they are taking), Terry points towards an important
>issue for me -- which is the future of education in the dance/arts feilds.
>We need to encourage and promote complementary modes of education which will
>include small and large initiatives, to include both students and
>professionals. Short, intense events independent events linked to longer
>term institutionalized curricula (this is something I'm personally very
>interested in seeing happen). Institutions are being pressed to take a
>stance on new info and media technologies, but they (generally) don't have
>the expertise. I think we are moving towards a future where institutional
>boundaries will become (must become) much more porous with less 'teaching'
>going on inside the ivory walls -- and more facilitating of learning
>experiences and student led projects.

Of course, Scott, you're absolutely right about this, and I do think these
more porous walls are beginning to happen. However, even those schools who
DO have the expertise to support and build work with new technologies,
particularly new performance technologies, often lack the resources, and
the facilities. One of my ongoing frustrations in mt constant academic
travels is not so much finding the talent, the hardware, and the
enthusiasm, but the TIME and SPACE to seriously address this kind of work.
A few hours here and there just doesn't do it (as well all know). We need
dedicated spaces with dedicated equipment where we can work for weeks at a
time, able to dive into work on a much deeper level. I sort of managed to
set up such a space at Dartington - or thought I had, only to find it was
still to be shared by other classes - thus making it impossible to leave
complex setups in place for more than a few hours or a weekend. I am now
trying to build such a facility at Oberlin. Yes, we need more fluid walls,
and a more flexible approach to the academy. Above all, we need funding to
bring in the necessary people at the necessary times.

I would be more than interested in supporting a summer school here in Ohio
- two or three weeks of intensive work in a dedicated atmosphere. I think
I might even be able to find the funding for a pilot program in 1998. Is
there the interest out there to support such a workshop - and is this what
we really need???

r

R i c h a r d P o v a l l
Assoc. Prof of Computer Music and New Media
========================================================================
MPO Box 0332 TIMARA/Studio 5
Oberlin, OH 44074-0332 USA Oberlin Conservatory of Music
Voice: +1.216.775.1016 Oberlin College
Fax: +1.216.775.8942 Oberlin, OH 44074 USA
email: Richard.Povall@oberlin.edu
website: http://timara.con.oberlin.edu/~RPovall/RPHome.html
====== ===== ====== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ======
========================================================================