*Pathfinder* is a visual language to initiate inspiration for choreography. The tool generates and projects abstract shapes into space in order to stimulate the dancers’ exploration of new body movements and overcome the boundaries of trained habits. It is a digital approach to the conceptual research of dance.

*Pathfinder* inspires dancers to explore physical language to forge unique expressions and configurations. It is a generative tool that conceives visual inspirations for the conceptual research of body movements. The system produces logical transitions between geometric shapes to guide and inspire the user to compliment continuously transforming human states. Choreographers can adjust certain parameters of the algorithmsuch as speed, complexity, or the geometry of objectsin order to delineate a desired type of animation without the ability to define the exact output. The algorithm generates graphic patterns to stimulate the creativity of dancers and open new perspectives. By interpreting the vast number of morphing geometries, the artist feels guided and inspired to open new perspectives towards physical possibilities.

Choreographic development often implicates the spontaneous embodiment of visual imagination. William Forsythe’s *Improvisation Technologies* for example, teach the creation of new motion patterns by imagining and manipulating geometric objects in space. Inspired by this concept, the smooth transition of *Pathfinder’s* visual language between configurations creates a seamless path for the dancer to follow from point, to line, to plane.

As a response to limitations in dance, *Pathfinder* aims to be instrumental in the creative process of choreographic development. Projected into space, *Pathfinder* becomes a digital environment to stimulate the artists’ creativity and enrich choreographic productions. The visual language of *Pathfinder* consists of fundamental geometric shapes and transitions to illustrate an abstraction of body states, motion, and causalities. The algorithm creates a vast number of geometries morphing in a sequential and logical manner.

*Pathfinder* expands the idea of creative collaboration by integrating an intelligent digital entity into the artistic process. The tool fosters an innovative dialogue between humans and technology to explore boundaries and creative possibilities. As a new development in dance and choreography, *Pathfinder* aims to explore a sustainable culture to encourage the creative abilities of new generations of digital artists, dancers, and choreographers.


Links: https://vimeo.com/111361109, http://onformative.com/work/pathfinder

Concept & Design: onformative
Collaboration with: Christian Loclair (Waltz Binaire)
Creative Direction: Cedric Kiefer (onformative)
Production: Julia Laub (onformative)
Code: Christian Loclair (Waltz Binaire)
Choreographic Consultancy: Raphael Hillebrand
Dancers: Honji Wang (Wang Ramirez), Christine Joy Alpuerto Ritter (Akram Khan Company)
Partner: NODE Forum for Digital Arts, Motion Bank

onformative (DE) is a Berlin-based studio challenging the boundaries of art and technology. Process-driven, they create interactive media installations, dynamic visuals, and data-driven narratives that mediate the intersection of digital and analog fields. They have exhibited internationally at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal and the Museum of Digital Arts in Beijing.

Christian “Mio” Loclair (DE), creative director at Waltz Binaire, is a media artist and choreographer from Berlin, Germany. He explores the harmonic friction of human bodies, movement and nature colliding with digital environments. Using cutting edge technology in interactive installations, audio-visual experiences, visual narratives and dance performances, he continuously illuminates the beauty and drama of human identity.