DDL2: Healing Interaction. - body.mind.machine.

Interactive Healing is a praxis-based research demonstration, mini symposium and PIZZA brunch organized by the Digital Dramaturgy Lab_squared (DDL²) in collaboration with the Interactive Media Lab, U of T. This is a hybrid event (offered online and in-person).

Antje Budde, artistic research director of DDL², was one of the inaugural recipients of the Inlight Student Mental Health Research Knowledge Synthesis grants, which together with XSeed funding supported the project PLAYStrong - Mental Health and Interactive Prototypes for Self-Learning. PLAYStrong investigated opportunities and potentials for creative, performance-based, interactive and participatory learning and supported student mental health and wellbeing while focusing on prevention, awareness, playful self-discovery and solidarity.

This year this praxis-based exploration continues. This research demonstration event is sponsored by the Inlight Student Mental Health Research Initiative. It showcases some aspects of the original research project “The Cave that Hummed a Song - Moving VR, Moving body and mind - Play, labour and learning to be well” but further expands its theme and praxis. The “Cave” project could not continue as initially planned, but this research demonstration event will present some of the preliminary research outcomes, as well as exciting additional research and ideas expanding beyond the original intentions.

Who
Digital Dramaturgy Labs_squared (DDL²), Interactive Media Lab (IML). sponsored by Inlight Student Mental Health Initiative and the Centre for Drama, Theatre and Perfomance Studies (CDTPS) at the University of
Toronto.

Research lead: Antje Budde
Research co-leads: Mark Chignell, Noah Zijie Qu, Don Sinclair
Collaborators: You Zhi Hu, Kwame Kyei-Boateng, Jacob Loat, Ilja Mirsky, Evan Moritz, Shiu Hei Larry Ng

Please register in advance for this event. 
Read the full event program.

PROGRAM:

Still. Going.
Introduction and land acknowledgment 

Part I: Sensor-based and VR Performative Interactions
Demonstrations and workshop, followed by discussion

Interface demos and testing of interactive performative technologies focussing on wellbeing, elder care and playful creative interactions by:
Noah Zijie Qu, Kwame Kyei-Boateng, You Zhi Hu, Jacob Loat and Mark Chignell
​
Interlude: PIZZA, beverages, and making friends

​Part II: The Uncanny and the Mundane – Human-Machine Interaction in the Performing Arts, Planetary Simulations, and Eldercare
Mini symposium, followed by discussion

Concept and presentations: Ilja Mirsky. Evan Moritz, Noah Zijie Qu

For more information, please visit ddlsquared.rocks/20241006-healinginteraction

INQUIRIES:
Please contact: Larry Ng – shlarry.ng@mail.utoronto.ca

Admission: Free of charge

This event promises to be a thought-provoking and traditionally very fun exploration of how the intersection of body, mind, and machine can shape our practical and conceptual understanding of healing and interaction. We look forward to seeing you there!

Media disclaimer: This event will be video and sound recorded and documented, as well as live-streamed. With attending this event you give consent to be part of the streaming and documentation.

Please note: Luella Massey Studio Theatre is not wheelchair accessible.