Lili Federico's "Dynamic Lightscapes: Generative Art in Motion" - Image of Research 2025

Often, an artist is limited by the tools they have at their disposal. When the artist’s vision becomes greater than the tools at hand, then it is time for discovery. In Lyric Theatre @ Illinois’ production of Oklahoma!, the dream ballet sequence became a canvas for exploring the relationship between technology and live performance. Using TouchDesigner, I developed a system of generative visuals that dynamically adapted to the environment in real time. The software responded to two key inputs: the intensity of the stage lighting and the movements of the performers. These factors influenced the evolving patterns, colors, and textures projected on stage, ensuring that each performance was unique. By relinquishing direct control to the software, I shifted from the role of an artist to that of an architect, designing a framework for the media to interact organically with its surroundings. The result was a vivid, immersive experience, where the media became an active participant in the storytelling. The project not only enhanced the aesthetic of the production but became a base in which to explore, and research, generative art in live theater.