Tonight: "Tap" Launches at Dia

Tonight, the Dia Center for the Arts in New York will launch "Tap," a work created by digital artist James Buckhouse in collaboration with former New York Times Style Editor and tap dance instructor Holly Brubach. You can see "Tap" on Dia's web site as well, but the physical celebration of the launch takes place from 6 to 8pm, with a public party in Dia's bookshop at 548 West 22nd Street. The artists have created two animated dancers for whom the user may choreograph routines. The animations, accessible online, can be passed on through wireless handheld networks; they are also available via beaming stations that interface with all Palm Powered personal digital assistants (PDAs) around New York. Buckhouse encourages the project to expand beyond the internet and individual computer desktops. Once codified, the dances that users create themselves may be saved for future performances.