Kinesthetic Empathy in Remote Interactive Performance: Research into Platforms and Strategies for Performing Online

In interactive performance, kinesthetic empathy refers to the ability of performers to read, decode, and react to one another’s physical input. To develop kinesthetic empathy, performers rely on sonic, visual, and other sensory cues. Remote and interactive performance oftentimes limits these cues due to deficiencies of the virtual environment. In this case, performers must develop connections between alternate sensory modes to achieve kinesthetic empathy. This paper explores alternative systems for remote performance and investigates the ways in which human players creatively exploit these platforms as well as defining pre-requisite sensory connections needed to achieve kinesthetic empathy between remote participants. We present three examples of technologies and performance techniques used to achieve this connection. We then present a new system modified for remote performance and propose a strategy for demonstrating it to peers in order to discern its effectiveness in facilitating kinesthetic empathy between multiple players as well as players and audience. We use current research data in cognitive psychology as a baseline for our own inquiry and hope our experiences will inspire future research in that field.