Tender Engine is a collaboration between choreographers, two dancers (Mardon + Mitsuhashi), programmer Brynn McNab and Uxie, the Recursive Neural Network - an algorithm that has learned to speak from various datasets within the parameters of the programmer’s making. Previous iterations of Tender Engine has taken place in performance-based spaces where it has focused primarily on physical and textual scores for the performers, and how the performer might guide an audience through a pointedly disjointed and dysfunctional reading of physical bodies as technological, political and individual.
During the month of June, Alexa Mardon and Erika Mitsuhashi (Mardon + Mitsuhashi) will accompany performers Elissa Hanson and Zahra Shahab to transform the space into a multimedia installation room. Studio rehearsal will take place that will bring Uxie, a collaborative algorithm designed to respond to programmer Brynn Catherine McNab’s data input to synchronize the words with bodily movements. Justine A. Chambers will serve as a mentor during the rehearsals leading up to the four performance to take place June 25, 26, 27 and 28.
VIVO is located in the homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples in a warehouse space at 2625 Kaslo Street south of East Broadway at the end of E 10th. Transit line 9 stops at Kaslo Street on Broadway. From the bus stop, the path is paved, curbless, and on a slight decline. The closest skytrain station is Renfrew Station, which is three blocks south-east of VIVO and has an elevator. From there, the path is paved, curbless, and on a slight incline. There is parking available at VIVO, including wheelchair access parking. There is a bike rack at the entrance. The front entrance leads indoors to a set of 7 stairs to the lobby.
A wheelchair ramp is located at the west side of the main entrance. The ramp has two runs: the first run is 20 feet long, and the second run is 26 feet. The ramp is 60 inches wide. The slope is 1:12. The ramp itself is concrete and has handrails on both sides. There is an outward swinging door (34 inch width) at the top of the ramp leading to a vestibule. A second outward swinging door (33 inch width) opens into the exhibition space. Buzzers and intercoms are located at both doors to notify staff during regular office hours or events to unlock the doors. Once unlocked, visitors can use automatic operators to open the doors.
There are two all-gender washrooms. One has a stall and is not wheelchair accessible. The other is a single room with a urinal and is wheelchair accessible: the door is 33 inches wide and inward swinging, without automation. The toilet has 11 inch clearance on the left side and a handrail.
To reach the bathrooms from the studio, exit through the double doors and proceed straight through the lobby and down the hall . Turn left, and the two bathrooms will be on your right side. The closest one has a stall and is not wheelchair accessible. The far bathroom is accessible.