MACE Information

Martial Arts Combat Environment M.A.C.E.

The Martial Arts Combat Environment was created to transform the movements of combat into coherent sonic and visual gestures. Custom sensors placed on the body and on the weapons of the participants register data that control what is being seen and heard by the audience. Each performance is unique. The chance elements of combat feed the computer with information. Data is used in many different ways. It can be used immediately, plugged into an algorithm, stored or randomized to create the environment. Couple the computer generated sonic and graphic portions with the sights and sounds of live, martial arts combat, interactive lighting and room ambiance and you get a performance that must be experienced in person to be truly appreciated.

THE MONKEY AND THE SNAKE
This performance occured at the 8th Annual Electroacoustic Music Festival, April 10, 1999 at The Center for the Performing Arts Black Box in Gainesville,Florida. The Monkey and the Snake, is a five-section piece, and spans a seven-minute performance time. Elements include live electronic sensor monitored combat, 2d and 3d animated video, and interactive sound and lighting. The character of the Monkey wears the custom sensor unit and will control elements of graphics, lighting and sound in the piece. The character movements will be measured at the neck and elbows for bend angle. Three momentary switches are placed on the body to allow fixed control. The combat itself is based on both traditional Chinese animal forms, as well as the internal Chinese style of Pa Kua. Marc Shahboz played the part of the Monkey and Joyce Shahboz played the part of the Snake. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shahboz are advanced martial artists, and have trained in numerous styles. These styles include: Chinese Gung Fu, Cuong Nhu, Wing Chun, and Kenjutsu.

THE MONKEY BEGINS HIS TRAINING
The Monkey Begins His Training was the first performance in "The Monkey and the Snake" series and took place at the 7th Annual Florida Electroacoustic Music Festival at The Center for the Performing Arts Black Box In Gainesville, Florida. The performance illustrated the training of the Monkey character, Hou Tie, by the performance of a monkey style martial arts form. Using spoken word as the basis of the musical composition, the audience heard what was going through Hou Tie's head as he trained for his battle with the Snake and built his internal energy or chi. Movement tracked at the elbows and knees controlled sonic elements of the piece.

YAMAGATA
Yamagata, was the first incarnation of the project, and was performed at the Sixth Annual Electroacoustic Music Festival at the University of Florida on April 12, 1997. The work used live Japanese sword combat to control sonic elements, via sensors in the sword. The piece also contained taped sonic and visual components. For seven minutes the combatants ferociously cut at each other to build the environment. The piece reached its' pinnacle when phase shifted Tyco drumming folded in on itself and began "spinning" around the eight speaker system. The effect created sub-rhythms that heightened the sounds of the actual combat.