Group dances are performed by Glenn through the use of superimposition in post-production editing.
Glenn improvises movement phrases at the chateau along the Côte d'Azur.
The windows of Studio III have been recreated in their original location providing a projected background of moving clouds that references the actual architecture of the performance space.
Interactive shadow play will appear throughout the Chevalier section. Video design creates complex relationships between numerous tracks of video and results in a curiously confusing mix of figures, silhouettes, and shadows.
The Slicelight section, a timeless exploration of the artist's inner thoughts, offers Glenn the opportunity to further explore the use of props. A rocking, moon-shaped set piece becomes essential in the section as it serves as set, prop, partner, and projection surface. Images of the "moon" in motion were projected giving the illusion of buoyantly rocking on the ocean.
Many photos which exist in the Clews' family scrapbooks were animated and projected to reference the many memories of Clews.
Mirth, the pet dove, as seen in performance.
One section of Whistling Doves features a look at many of the sculptures created by Clews. The candlesticks are from the Chateau de La Napoule and the flames were videotaped in the Department of Dance Computer Lab, then superimposed.
An image of a ghost-like figure lurks beneath the archways of the castle. Glenn was videotaped in silhouette passing in front of four pools of backlight. A series of archways was created to frame the beams of light using a photograph of a single archway from the castle. The images were then merged through superimposition.
The illusion of multiple camera shots is created through the process of digital editing. This technology has allowed Glenn to be performer, videographer, and editor. All footage from the chateau was accomplished without a crew and with only one camera.
Multiple movies have been created to visualize this portion of Chevalier. Upon completion, the multiple screens are combined to created one video.
Multiple angles of the same dance phrase were projected during the Sprite section. An infinity studio space resulted containing a total of ten unison dancing images.
John Meyer Video Residency
John Meyer, multimedia/video/dance documentation/design/arts administration specialist and personal friend of Glenn, visited Columbus from Madison, WI for five days in July 1998. His collaborative contributions in the areas of video and multimedia production greatly benefitted the project. Over thirty hours were dedicated to the shooting of video during the five day visit. The Sullivant Hall Theater was utilized as a black space and Studio III was prepared to appear as it will in January. Meyer's visit was funded in part by a Vera Blaine Special Projects Grant obtained through the OSU Department of Dance.
The Élan Vital section of Whistling Doves concludes the evening with the projection of multiple screens rising and falling to reveal glimpses of the various solos previously seen throughout the evening.
The Slicelight solo involves a moving prop which acts as a projection screen as it travels throughout the space. In order to identify the specific locations with which the projections may be coordinated with the movement of the prop many tests were conducted. The prop was placed in position, an image was projected into the space from the predetermined angle of projection, and the coordinates of the reflected surface were mapped. From these calculations the following images were created for use in the placement of animations within the projected video. The gray area is the full-screen (640x480 pixel) projection, the white area is the actual dimensions of the wall to be projected onto, and the gold area is the location of the prop at different moments within the solo.
Video footage taken of the doves was digitally superimposed with images of Glenn in performance.
Glenn continues to explore the use of props in the Slicelight section of Whistling Doves. The prop becomes partner, set, prop, and projection screen. This exploration on tension, balance, weight, and level is fully integrated within a projected atmosphere.