- Oct 11, 2022

Emojians (2022)

an Emoji-based experimental performance

Emojians is an experimental performance that explores the possibilities of Emoji as performance notations. As an emerging internet language, Emoji is highly open to interpretations. While frequently used in daily text messaging, the meaning of Emojis can vary greatly according to the given combinations, context, and culture.

Upon joining a modified Discord server, performers from various backgrounds act as both interpreters and creators of Emoji-based prompts. Each performer is represented by an emoji and is instructed to interpret specific emojis with their expertise (ie. dance, sound, music, digital practice, linguistics, etc) alongside any associations and imaginations.

A python-based bot is created to facilitate the arrangement and introduce an aleatory element to the work. Interconnected through the voice channel, each smartphone becomes part of the audio network. Audio feedback generated by the network reflects the physicality of the performance as a result of the virtual interaction.

Documented with immersive video and ambisonic audio techniques, this project attempts to investigate VR technology as an alternative to preserve sound works, in response to its space-specific characteristic in general.

The work contains 3 segments:

I: Activation

II: Prompts (tutti)

III: Prompts (performer specific)