Practice Discovery: Replica by Displace Studio

Replica is a mixed-reality (MR) dance work by Displace Studio, made in partnership with the Virtual and Immersive Production Studio (VIP Studio) at the University of Nottingham (UoN). Our article discusses the technical and creative development of Replica, as a one-to-one audience experience, exposing the technical and production pipeline, and highlighting the experimentation used to capture the dancer volumetrically, which subverted the normative use of the volumetric rig. Replica was made through an iterative design-led process of prototyping and user testing, evidencing that audiences have much to contribute to interpreting MR immersive works, especially in relation to embodied experience, intimacy and connection. Our discussion traces the conceptual, choreographic and technical development of Replica, revealing new methods and documenting the oscillation between technical potentials and aesthetic choices. We detail the technical and artistic development of hybrid engagement by larger audiences, including a multi-user version, screened Augmented Reality (AR) external camera system for a seated audience, with optional livestream options for remote viewing, addressing a sector challenge of scaling work for sustainable touring. We highlight the value of partnerships between independent artists and production facilities, in terms of access to resources, peer-to-peer learning and sharing expertise, towards developing a more equitable immersive production ecosystem. Keywords: dance, volumetric capture, mixed reality, intimacy, audience, virtual production