Accessible Hybrid Performances: Embedding Volumetric Capture Technologies into Two Case-Studied Scenarios
Project partners: University of the Arts London, Horniman Museum and Gardens, Nissen Richards Studio
Researchers from London College of Fashion, UAL received funding from XR Network+ to develop two case studies using volumetric capture to exhibit culturally-specific performances within museums. The project built upon the prototype created for the team’s earlier XR Network+ supported project, ‘Charged Objects of Performance’, in which they worked alongside Yoruba and Pan-African artists to produce a digital 3D recreation of a traditional Yoruba performance re-imagined in the present from a diaspora perspective.
The culture sector’s use of 3D technologies largely remains focused on objects and spaces over bodies and performance. Divorcing objects from their cultural context creates an imperfect picture when it comes to understanding those cultural traditions that are rooted in performance. Working in partnership with the Horniman Museum and exhibition makers Nissen Richards Studio, this project brought together artists, researchers, and technologists to explore how cultural stories can be reimagined and shared through immersive performance. Across two major strands of work, the team combined creativity, technology, and cross-cultural collaboration to deliver innovative and engaging results.
One case study centred on Whispering Forest, developed with the Yoruba Tales Collective and performed at the Horniman Museum. Drawing on objects from the museum’s collection, this hybrid, co-created performance combined costume, storytelling, and immersive theatre. It celebrated Yoruba and Pan-African traditions while highlighting their ecological wisdom, ensuring these cultural narratives remain alive and relevant for future generations.
The second case study focused on Dancing Woman, a prototype created in partnership with Nissen Richards Studio. Inspired by a painting by Jamini Roy, the team experimented with photogrammetry, stereoscopic film, and live performance to create nine animated scenes. This work has opened up exciting opportunities for future development, including the use of motion capture and AI, and has positioned the team to collaborate with international partners in India.
Collaboration was central to the success of both projects. Experts in performance, textiles, drawing, digital capture, gaming, and immersive technologies worked alongside external artists and partners. Their combined skills helped establish new creative workflows and methodologies that will support future research and productions.
The project also prioritised ethics, ensuring that performers retained artistic integrity and intellectual property within digital contexts. Audience participation and feedback were gathered throughout, providing valuable insights to guide further work.
This collaboration is one of seven projects supported by the Embedded R&D (round two) funding call, with grants of up to £60,000 awarded to researchers at UK universities to explore the transfer of knowledge between academia and industry in areas aligned with Virtual Production. The projects took place over a six month period, commencing from September 2024.
Image details: Moremi at the Horniman, Charged Objects collective. Fumy Opeyemi as Moremi, with sound composition by Helen Epega, photography by Gianluca Vartan.
Categories: Arts, Performance, Research, Technology