Public viewing with shadows: Design of theater-type space where remote actors and audiences can coexist using the shadow as their own agents
Koji Iida, Shiroh Itai, Takabumi Watanabe, Yoshiyuki Miwa · 2008
In case of dramatic means of communication such as an improvised drama, it is well-known that the existence and function of audiences are key to the endurance of a creative story. In order to achieve this dramatic communication between remote locations, this study aimed to design and develop a theater-type coexisting space in which drama players (actors) can be positioned while being accompanied by empathetic audiences. To this end, the Waseda Shadow Communication System (WSCS) was applied; it was previously developed by the present authors to create a feeling of coexistence that could be shared with remotely located people through the exchange of body shadows. Communication space in WSCS was divided into two components with a transparent screen and a shoji (Japanese paper) screen; to each screen, shadows of drama players and audiences were projected separately. The relative relationship of each position was matched and expressed, so that a theater-type communication system was established, which comprised audiences, drama players, and their mutual stage. The shadow expression method was further investigated for audiences freely entering and exiting the theater.