StellarScape is an unprecedented combination of music, dance, and cinematography, blended with state-of-the-art data visualization and astrophysical simulation. The theme is astronomical, but the vision is humanistic. It shows that computers can be harnessed to create complex and evocative music, and technology can be deployed to display the grace of human movement and dance. The main outcome of this project will be to draw new audiences to a modern, science inspired multimedia work.
StellarScape is the fusion of art, science, and technology. The mission of this transdisciplinary collaboration is to be evocative not literal, and creative not pedantic. The performance will showcase a combination of cutting-edge astronomical research and emerging technologies for performing arts. Our convergence research approach is highly collaborative, drawing upon the strengths of our respective disciplines to develop novel experiences and expressions. The poetic narrative is inspired by the astrophysics of star formation and stellar evolution. The musical moods are shaped by the rich textures of supercomputer simulations of molecular clouds. Data visualization is used to project the dance into the kinetic behavior of a myriad of luminous particles. The scholarly foundation of StellarScape will be disseminated through one or more peer reviewed journal articles in leading international venues.
StellarScape is a vehicle to take theoretical astrophysics to public audiences in interactive planetarium shows; to empower diverse audiences to creatively engage with the universal origins of matter and life. The world premier is scheduled for two evenings in late January 2022, at the UA’s Crowder Hall. We also intend to produce an HD digital video version of the production, shot from multiple vantage points, allowing it to be shown at venues ranging from small lecture halls up to large concert halls and movie theaters. This version would first be delivered at the UA’s installation at SXSW in Austin, Texas in March, 2022. We also plan a version that would first be presented at the Flandrau Planetarium on the University of Arizona campus, using live music and dance performers in front of a backdrop of immersive video projected on the dome. A pre-recorded version with immersive video and sound can then be shown at planetaria nationwide, providing creative breadth to their traditional sky shows and astronomy lectures.
StellarScape is the fusion of art, science, and technology. The mission of this transdisciplinary collaboration is to be evocative not literal, and creative not pedantic. The performance will showcase a combination of cutting-edge astronomical research and emerging technologies for performing arts. Our convergence research approach is highly collaborative, drawing upon the strengths of our respective disciplines to develop novel experiences and expressions. The poetic narrative is inspired by the astrophysics of star formation and stellar evolution. The musical moods are shaped by the rich textures of supercomputer simulations of molecular clouds. Data visualization is used to project the dance into the kinetic behavior of a myriad of luminous particles. The scholarly foundation of StellarScape will be disseminated through one or more peer reviewed journal articles in leading international venues.
StellarScape is a vehicle to take theoretical astrophysics to public audiences in interactive planetarium shows; to empower diverse audiences to creatively engage with the universal origins of matter and life. The world premier is scheduled for two evenings in late January 2022, at the UA’s Crowder Hall. We also intend to produce an HD digital video version of the production, shot from multiple vantage points, allowing it to be shown at venues ranging from small lecture halls up to large concert halls and movie theaters. This version would first be delivered at the UA’s installation at SXSW in Austin, Texas in March, 2022. We also plan a version that would first be presented at the Flandrau Planetarium on the University of Arizona campus, using live music and dance performers in front of a backdrop of immersive video projected on the dome. A pre-recorded version with immersive video and sound can then be shown at planetaria nationwide, providing creative breadth to their traditional sky shows and astronomy lectures.
The TeamStellarScape is a collaboration at the University of Arizona between the Fred Fox School of Music, the Department of Astronomy, School of Dance, School of Information, and the UArizona Research Technologies Department. This convergence collaboration is catalyzed by a powerful union of concepts at the confluence of astronomy, humanity, and socio-technical experience advanced by Professors Yuanyuan (Kay) He (PI, Music), Chris Impey (Co-I, Astronomy) and Winslow Burleson (Co-I, School of Information), in collaboration with UArizona’s Devin Bayly (UA Research Technologies Department) , Gustavo Almeida (Closed Loop Sensor Lab, HS/Bio5), and Hayley Meier (Dance), and with internationally renowned guest visual artist Georgios Cherouvim (ch3 studio, Greece). This team is uniquely equipped for the technical and artistic challenges of this multimedia work. |
Dr. Yuanyuan (Kay) HeDirector/Composer/Visual Artist
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Dr. Chris ImpeyAstronomer
Devin BaylyInteractive Visual Artist
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Dr. Winslow BurlesonHuman Computer Interactivity
Dr. Gustavo AlmeidaSensor Technology
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Hayley MeierChoreographer/Dancer
Georgios CherouvimGuest Visual Artist
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