Dance the Beat

What happens when dancers control the rhythm of music, rather than the other way around?

This question led to a series of experiments with MIDI input, Arduino boards, and movement as a tempo controller. The result: a wand whose motion directly controls the rhythm of music.

While the initial vision involved dancers steering complex compositions through movement, the prototype was deliberately simplified. Familiar songs with straightforward beats worked best—allowing participants to immediately feel the impact of their gestures.

The installation premiered at Schmiede Hallein's final exhibition as a mini-disco. The dance wand controlled the room's music, letting one participant's movement set the rhythm for everyone. The traditional hierarchy between music and dancer was reversed: here, the body leads and the beat follows.