3.1 Metamorphosis and the Tadpole Metaphor

• Space: The studio’s main floor was cleared, leaving only a low, reflective pool of water in the center—a literal “tadpole pond.”
• Technology: 12 RFID‑tagged stones encircled the pool; each stone, when touched, triggered a cascade of events—projected visuals, sound samples, and subtle changes in the water’s illumination.
• Performance: Mae choreographed a 30‑minute solo that began with slow, amphibian‑like undulations, gradually shifting to a more human, upright posture. As she moved, she touched the stones in a pre‑determined sequence, coaxing the studio’s digital and acoustic components into action.
• Audience Role: Spectators were invited to stand within the pool’s perimeter, their presence detected by pressure sensors. Their collective weight subtly altered the water’s ripple pattern, which McKenzie’s software interpreted as real‑time data, feeding back into the projection.