Algorithmic approaches to artistic movement

This study proposes a formal way of representing the dancers in a salsa performance as a transition system. The model involves two finite state machines that communicate through a channel and the goal is to understand the notion of optimality in salsa. This is achieved by integrating two complexity metrics that measure the energy and entropy of the sequences generated by the dancers. These metrics are used as constraints on the transition model for automated dance sequence generation. It is shown that the terms such as `surprising', `unsurprising', `high energy' and `low energy' that are used to describe dance can be formally defined as the constraints on the transition system. In the second part of the study, communication protocols for the construction of distinct dance phrases are investigated. Bounds on the communication complexity are related to the structure of the sequences to be performed by the agents. There is a discussion of results of an experiment in which experienced and beginner level leaders perform dance sequences. The dancers are allowed to make mistakes but asked to continue performing even when a mistake occurs. This scenario is represented by a transition model which involves communication through a multi-input erasure channel. The results of the experiment suggest that a more experienced leader corresponds to having higher channel capacity in transmitting signals to the follower.