Presented as a hybrid between fashion, movement, and technology, Elastica is an experimental wearable suit that transforms the dancer’s body into a live interface for sound and data visualization. Developed by artist Cristian Rizzuti, the piece explores how biometric feedback can augment performance through textile-based sensors and wireless communication.

After an anatomical study focusing on muscle expansion and joint articulation, the suit was custom-tailored and embedded with low-cost stretch sensors using conductive thread. These sensors, embroidered directly into the textile, detect movement and tension from the performer’s body in real time.

Loco Machines contributed to the project through research and testing of resistive fabrics as stretch sensors, the development of embedded electronics with Wi-Fi capabilities, and the implementation of software to stream OSC data from the suit to Processing and Max/MSP environments.

The result is a responsive system where dance, wearable tech, and generative audio/visual outputs converge-turning the body into an expressive, data-rich instrument.

Credits
Concept & Interaction: Cristian Rizzuti
Dancer: Laila Tafur
Fashion Design: Sæunn Kjartansdóttir
Hardware and Software Engineering: Loco Machines
E-Textile: Anastasia Pistofidou, Cristian Rizzuti