Mixed Reality, Mamulengos and MamuLEDs

• Jarbas Jácome UFPE
• Maria Oliveira Cia Artística Mamulengos e Catrevagens
• Fernando Alvim Escola Municipal de Arte João Pernambuco
• Veronica Teichrieb UFPE
• Geber Ramalho UFPE

Abstract

VR/AR/MR techniques have been applied to puppet theaters in different cultural contexts around the world. However, we are not yet aware of the use of these techniques in the Brazilian Northeast Popular Puppet Theater, a tradition known in Pernambuco as Mamulengo. We present here a system developed for “The Fight Between the Real Doll and the Virtual Doll” sketch created for the course “Virtual and Augmented Reality” of Computer Science program at CInUFPE. The aim of this paper is to investigate how VR/AR/MR techniques can contribute to the creation of Mamulengo shows. We used the method of Qualitative Case Study, analyzing the audiovisual records of essays and presentation, the software solution developed in Unity3D and the data collected from a focus group interview. This study identified as weaknesses of the system: the hand tracking instability and the lack of tactile feedback, causing some physical and psychological discomfort in an experienced doll handler. As strengthens of the system, we found that the technology aroused interest because of its novelty and potential for expanding of the tools available for puppetry.

Keywords: Mixed Reality, Hand Tracking, Mamulengos, MamuLEDs