'Circle' will be a series of immersive new-media artworks where children will play in worlds of sound, light and colour.

Currently in early stages of development, two world-first pieces of interactive technology will enable the realisation of 'Circle'. These two technologies are 'The Entity’ and 'The Habitat'.

'The Entity' is a smart ball, which can manipulated by a user within ‘The Habitat’, an immersive sound and lighting environment. The Habitat and The Entity work together to respond to user behaviours and movements.

Future applications of this technology will be diverse, forming a series of works; from immersive installations where children move through sound and colour, to performances where dancers in virtuosic play, to a standalone Circle - a 21st century toy for use in the home or school.

'Circle' is a collaboration between Imaginary's Artistic Director, Thom Browning, sound/interactive systems designer Luke Lickfold and contemporary dancer & choreographer Sammie Williams. After a building and test prototypes in 2015, it will undergo a second development research & development phase in late 2016.

Created in partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse, 'Circle is anticipated to premiere in 2018. Imaginary are seeking additional co-production partners, and also presenters who are interested in programming the work in the future.

Venue Format
Hall, Black Box Venue, Outdoor
Technical Rating
B, C
Touring Party
TBC, depending on outcomes of creative development. It is anticipated that touring 'Circle' works will always travel with a team of 2-5 performers/technicians.
Considerations

Technical information is not yet available, however it is anticipated that 'Circle' installation or performance works will mostly self-contained, travelling with all neccesary equipment, and will be able to be installed within half a day.

Budget information is also not available at this time, however an update on the financial modelling of 'Circle' will be available in early 2017.

Imaginary Theatre is a Brisbane-based arts organisation creating inspiring arts experiences for and with children aged 12 and under that sit on the intersection of creativity, childhood and community. Imaginary's work has engaged more than 80, 000 children across Australia and Internationally since 2006.

Company Website
imaginarytheatre.org

Unique Selling Point

The work responds to contemporary childhood, and sits at the intersection of digital technology and live arts. It places cutting-edge technology in the hands of children and families and invites them to be the makers of their own immersive, kinaesthetic experience.

Circle offers an alternative to now ubiquitous screen-based technology for children which offer passive interactions and do not facilitate the active play that’s crucial to their physical, neurological and social development. Circle is a technological platform that will nurture children's in-built capacity for physically active creative play.

Marketing Materials

Circle is undergoing early stage creative development, an outcome of which will be the modelling of performance and installation works.

Regardless, Imaginary would work closely with presenters to promote 'Circle' to both family and school audiences, utilising rich marketing collateral including beautiful images and video footage of children and dancers interacting with the work in order to demonstrate the experience.

'Circle' would be accompanied by educators notes and would be relevant to childcare centres, kindergartens and primary schools (Prep - Yr 5) and touch on the following curriculum areas:

  • Technology & Digital Literacy
  • Science
  • Visual Arts
  • Dance
  • Music
  • Play

Community Engagement

Imaginary envisages that 'Circle' will offer a broad range of community engagement opportunities.

The performance work could be accompanied by workshops in contemporary dance, where children and dancers will play together to explore the potential of technology and movement.

Using the standalone 'Circle', school groups could be engaged in workshops that introduce students to basics of programming and interactive design.

More information will become available later the development process.