The use of technology in artistic processes has the potential to re-interpret traditional aspects of culture. I've been interested in exploring computer vision algorithms and electronic music to create video-art and electronic sound compositions that re-asses tango culture from the perspective of new media arts [see references]. This has allowed me to experiment with novel aesthetic approaches that depart from the traditional visuality of tango culture and re-contextualize it into the realms of computational art.
Here I present three audiovisual studies of tango dancing and music in the form of video-art and accompanying electronic sound compositions. Their creation was inspired on the concept of re-mixing the realism associated with traditional aspects of tango culture with my urge for the use of technology as means for artistic expression. My dual role as multimedia artist and tango enthusiast has placed me at the intersection of tensions in which the artistic impulse encourage de-construction and re-mixing, whereas the dancer's impulse encourages preservation and veneration of tradition and the status quo.
Description of audio_visual works:
The first two audio_visual pieces (Video 1 and Video 2) explore the concept of dancing bodies as windows into a new place and time. As bodies of the tango couple survey the canvas, they reveal images of Candombe culture from the streets of Montevideo. Candombe is also considered traditional culture in my country of origin (Uruguay) and relates to tango as one of its precursors. The pieces are accompanied by electronic sound created by the author that contains re-mixed audio segments from traditional tango songs.
Video 1. 'Cuerpo-Ventana del Recuerdo' (version #2) [35 seconds] is a video-art piece based on the recording of Jusleine Daniel and Hugo Visoso dancing tango at a social event in New York City. Their bodies are re-interpreted as windows that reveal re-mixed video footage of Candombe from the streets of Montevideo. Candombe's video source was taken from 'TumbaLaTaVideos: Candombe Documental / Los Toques del Tambor Afro-Montevideano Parte 1' (2012) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbHcN-AHwcE]. Sound created by the author as electroCortina [see reference].
Video 2. 'Cuerpo-Ventana del Recuerdo' (version #1) [41 seconds] is a video-art piece based on the recording of Jusleine Daniel and Hugo Visoso dancing tango at a social event in New York City. Their bodies are re-interpreted as windows that reveal re-mixed video footage of Candombe from the streets of Montevideo. Candombe's video source was taken from 'Comparsa - Valores de Ansina' by Giselle Noroña (2014) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lIcMWZiF0Q]. Sound created by the author as electroCortina [see reference].
The third audio_visual piece (Video 3) explores the concept of dancing bodies being trapped in a digital tango loop, dancing to the beat of the pixel for eternity. Their bodies fuses with the glitchy background of the image, disappearing at moments from the work to only come back and keep dancing. The piece has as accompaniment electronic sound created by the author that contains re-mixed audio segment from a traditional tango song.
Video 3. 'Trapped in a Tango Loop' is a video-art piece [39 seconds] based on the recording of Jusleine Daniel and Martin Calvino dancing tango. Their bodies are re-interpreted as dynamic group of pixels that change colors in dramatic manner. Sound created by the author as electroCortina [see reference].
The short length of these pieces (less than a minute) is intentional as the audiovisual works were conceived to be played as 'cortinas' in tango social dance settings. They aim at producing a reaction in traditional tango enthusiasts of what could possibly be. At the same time, these audio_visual pieces could introduce traditional aspects of tango culture to multimedia artists and technologically oriented audience in general; bridging tradition with modernity.
References_