cari ann shim sham* is a full Arts Professor at NYU Tisch School of the Arts

Creative Research: Composition for Interactions with Technology

Now, more than ever before, we are dependent upon, addicted to, and socially expected to not only understand but also know how to utilize new technologies. And yet what is Technology? According to Marshall McCluhan technology is "any extension of ourselves" or, more broadly, "any new technology" is an extension of the human. Therefore anything beyond the body that we have created is indeed technology. Language, books, clothing, and even abstract ideas such as dance are all technologies. How can we as artists interact with technology to create new ideas that would not exist without the fusion? What technologies work well with moving bodies? And what exactly is dance? All these questions and more will be explored through experiments, assignments and lab activities.

This course is designed to support students by providing a space to study and practice the art of composing the body's interaction with the projected technology of processing sketches, allowing immersion in the practice of moving with, against, inside of, along side of and through these technologies. Marshall McLuhan's definition of technology, and readings from Radical Street Performance will provide a framework for discussion, creation and understanding of technology, and the placement of the audience by the art maker. Anatomical terminology will be used to discuss the motion of the body through space and time. To deepen our understanding through practice we will experiment with making dances based on improvisational scores created together as a group during LAB time.

Software used Processing and p5.js.. Systems will include laptop computers, projectors, screens, smart devices & QR codes. Code languages employed will include Java.

Video Art, Abstract Screens, Multi-Projector Immersive & Interactive Design for Dance

A Lab/Workshop course that explores the design, creation & application of immersive & interactive video art and multi-projection system onto traditional & abstract screens designed for dance. Students create their own video art to support dance in a proscenium setting as well as video art that supports immersive & or interactive installation. By using industry standard software platforms Qlab for theater and Isadora for multi-projector systems, Processing and equipment to support these designs, students are prepared to enter the professional field. A creative investigation upon the use of traditional screens in non traditional ways and the design of abstract screens will inform final projects.

Filming the Moving Body

Filming the Moving Body is a practice-based hands on training for students to acquire introductory video production skills for filming the moving body. Students encounter both concept based and experience based learning, receiving information through class discussion, and practicing through explorations, weekly assignments, studio play, and viewing work in the field and each other’s work in the form of 1 min movies and final projects. Students work on teams and as individuals throughout the semester. Adobe Premiere Software is used for editing. A final project is created for the course and shown at the final class of the semester based on skills acquired in class and inspired by assignments and investigation during the course.

courses taught

NYU

2025 Filming the Moving Body, Repertory,Composition for Interactions
with Technology, Creative Research Video Art, Abstract Screens,
Multi-Projector Immersive & Interactive Design for Dance

2024 Composition for Interactions with Technology, Creative Research
Video Art, Abstract Screens, Multi-Projector Immersive & Interactive Design for Dance

2023 sabbatical

2022 Composition for Interactions with Technology, Creative Research
Video Art, Abstract Screens, Multi-Projector Immersive & Interactive Design for Dance
Filming the Moving Body, Ethics of Big Tech & Social Media, Big Ideas

2021 Composition for Interactions with Technology, Creative Research
Filming the Moving Body, Video Art, Abstract Screens, Multi-Projector Immersive & Interactive Design for Dance, Ethics of Big Tech & Social Media, Big Ideas

2020 Composition for Interactions with Technology, Creative Research
Filming the Moving Body, Video Art, Abstract Screens, Multi-Projector Immersive & Interactive Design for Dance

2019 Video Art, Abstract Screens, Multi-Projector Immersive
Interactive Design for Dance, Filming the Moving Body, Digital
Performance Motion Capture for Dance Avatars, Digital Portfolio

2018 Filming the Moving Body,Dance for Camera, Dance & New Media, 

2017 Dance and New Media, Filming the Moving Body, Dance for Camera,
Digital Portfolio, Digital Performance

2016 Filming the Moving Body, Dance for Camera, Digital Portfolio,
Dance and New Media

2015 Filming the Moving Body, Digital Portfolio

UCLA

2015 Dance for Camera

2014 Dance for Camera

2013 Dance for Camera

2011 Dance for Camera

2009 Dance for Camera, Beginning Tap Dance, Advanced Projects in Video
(Dance for Camera, Video Installation & Multi-Media)

2008 Beginning Tap Dance

Guest Teacher

2014 St. Mary’s College, Moraga, CA. Dance for Camera