Abstract:

This work explores the innovative intersection of artistic practice and academic communication, focusing on the use of augmented reality (AR) comics and performance talks as documentation of artistic research. It builds upon the premise that traditional scholarly formats often fail to encapsulate the nuanced, multifaceted nature of the research process, particularly within the context of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and artistic methodologies. By employing a case study of the performance "Precious Camouflage," the paper illustrates how a non-linear narrative integrated with hand-drawn illustrations can convey "felt knowledge" that transcends written documentation. Comics inherently accommodate complex narratives that represent multiple perspectives and temporalities, thus serving as a potent medium for expressing such intricate experiences. Furthermore, the work suggests that AR does not merely enhance visual storytelling; it enables "thick documentation" that encapsulates the contradictions and ongoing uncertainties inherent to artistic research. This aligns with prior discussions on somaesthetic design, which prioritize embodied experiences in HCI research. Last, the proposed methodology seeks to contribute a new dimension to the conversation on how artistic research can coexist alongside traditional academic outputs. It underscores the importance of documentation as an active participant in the research journey, rather than an afterthought, presenting an approach that values the unfinished and evolving nature of artistic research.

The presentation of results from artistic research and interdisciplinary project work is also complemented by a dedicated presentation format that combines scientific communication with performative elements, thereby enabling an aesthetic experience of artistic work while also supporting more cognitively oriented scientific communication for a larger audience. This approach was put into practice during various events for further presenting artistic research in the arts and culture sector and for communication as part of a public showing for an European project on dance and technology, and was validated with a larger user group. In this paper we propose alternative approaches to traditional communication formats for artistic research projects that often serve purely for aesthetic experiences or cognitive learning but combine both for providing access to "felt knowledge".

Keywords:

Artistic research, XR Comics, performative documentation, New Media Art.