Embodied Experience of Costume research project ran from 2022 –2026, a four-year research project funded by Aalto University Vice President for Research (2+2 years).
The project explores how embodiment informs the tangible material, digital and virtual creation of costume in:
(a) devised performance processes (live performance),
(b) animated character creation (animation films),
(c) virtual reality settings (virtual costume).
Rationale: In costume scholarship and practice, the creation of characters through costume design often fails to take into consideration the sensorial and somatic dimensions of costume, even though costume transfers embodied experiences to the wearer/performer and is a central sense-creating element for the viewer/audience. This multidisciplinary research intertwines theoretical and practical ideas on embodiment from the perspective of costume design and materiality through devising and material exploration techniques. The project examines the impact of the embodied experience of costume materiality in the processes of ideation, meaning making, creation of narrative, and free exploration. It does so through immersive material engagement that is tested and developed for physical and digital/virtual contexts (live performance, animation films, virtual reality). The research also aims to foster new pedagogical prospects for future education in the fields of costume design in live performance, animation, and digital/virtual media.
Content of work: The research explores new approaches and methods for costume creation addressed to performers and designers, costume designers, animators, and wider audience. The artistic research is practice-led and is built around a series of workshops employing a methodology that sensitises the participants towards instinctive, associative meaning-making processes with materials. These unpack intuitive processes for more conscious and focused design that enhances the experience of both performers and audiences. The workshops involve professional designers and creators from Finland and abroad (professional target group) and MA students of Costume Design and Animation (pedagogical target group).
Researchers: The project engages one post-doctoral researcher and two doctoral candidates. Post-doctoral researcher Maarit Kalmakurki (2022-23): digital costume production for animation films. Doctoral researcher Susanna Suurla (2022-24 and 2025-26): material production of costume through devising live performance. Doctoral researcher Alyssa Ridder (2026): virtual costume.
The outcomes of the project include:
Alyssa Ridder designing a soma-aesthetic virtual costume using a markerless motion capture system and a virtual reality headset
