The Delay Mirror: a Technological Innovation Specific to the Dance Studio

Abstract

This paper1. evaluates the use of the Delay Mirror (DM) in the dance studio. The DM is a device that records a video stream which is rendered immediately on a large screen, but with a delay of a few seconds. A dancer can observe her own movements in the same way she would do so when looking at a normal mirror. However, the delay allows her to observe dynamic movements which cannot usually be observed other than in video. We evaluate whether this device can be useful in the context of a dance class, and whether it complements the normal mirror, while being less intrusive than a normal video recording which is recorded and then re-played, possibly interrupting workflow. Qualitative evaluation was performed in the context of an advanced-level adult ballet course.