The Goethe-Institut (Wyoming Building)

Synchronous Objects: Degrees of Unison is a multipart sound and video installation focusing on One Flat Thing, reproduced an ensemble dance by William Forsythe.

Focusing on the choreographic visualization online project Synchronous Objects created by Norah Zuniga Shaw, Maria Palazzi and William Forsythe, the installation brings viewers into an encounter with the deep structures of a dance and the generative ideas contained within. A series of visual objects – animations, computer graphics, interactive tools – enact a parallel performance of Forsythe's choreographic ideas. The work was first launched online in 2009 and is still available in this form.

In the installation, Norah Zuniga Shaw stays close to the conceptual foundations of the online original while extending them into the architectural and experiential possibilities of the Goethe-Institut Wyoming Building. In addition to interacting with the site and viewing HD animations from the project, visitors can spend time within a circle of synchronized visualizations unfolding from dance to data to objects over the 15 – minute time span of the piece. William Forsythe's voice calls out timing to the dancers and the sounds of the dancers' actions move in multi-channel choreography around the space. Finally, a paper proliferation of creative processes can be found to read, leave behind, sort, or carry home.

Synchronous Objects: Degrees of Unison (2010)
A video installation by Norah Zuniga Shaw based on original material from
Synchronous Objects for One Flat Thing, reproduced (2009)
By William Forsythe, Norah Zuniga Shaw, Maria Palazzi
Creative director: Norah Zuniga Shaw
Choreographer: William Forsythe, One Flat Thing, reproduced (2000)
Video source director: Thierry de Mey (2006)
Video and software engineer: Benjamin Schroeder
Sound designer: Marc Ainger
Producers: Julian Richter, Shawn Hove, Oded Huberman, and Petra Roggel/Goethe-Institut
Sound resources: ambient sound of dancers performing the piece and William Forsythe's voice
Runing time: 15:30 min.