IETM’s new publication on Arts and New Technologies
IETM, international network for contemporary performing arts, launches the 6th issue of its Fresh Perspectives publication series Mixed Reality and the Theatre of the Future, which explores the issues at stake when designing a mixed reality experience in the context of theatre and performance.
The publications features a selection of projects describing in detail the artistic design processes, as well as the challenges and opportunities brought about by the use of mixed reality technologies.
Mixed Reality and the Theatre of the Future is written by Joris Weijdom, a researcher and designer of theatrical mixed reality experiences, and published by IETM, in partnership with the professorship in Performative Processes of HKU University of the Arts Utrecht.
The publication is divided in two parts. In section 1 the curator of this publication, Joris Weijdom underpins the matters that are vital while creating a mixed reality experience. Using a witty style and practical examples, the text is appetizing for both total beginners and advanced users. In section 2 fellow practitioners from different countries share their own experiences, give practical insights into their practices, and share their learnt lessons, tips, and possibilities for development and collaborations. Ranging from dating with a cyborg in public space to streamed mocap dance performance from different locations all the way to fully immersive theatrical virtual reality installation.
IETM has explored this topic through a series of publications and discussions. After an article on ‘Who is afraid of the digital?’, a mapping of ‘Live performances in digital times’ and the IETM plenary meeting in Amsterdam (spring 2016) focused on those same topics, this Fresh Perspectives takes the discussion to the next level.
picture from Terranova by CREW_Eric Joris (© courtesy of Stefan Dewickere)
IETM is a network of over 500 performing arts organisations and individual members working in the contemporary performing arts worldwide: theatre, dance, circus, interdisciplinary live art forms, new media. IETM advocates for the value of the arts and culture in a changing world and empowers performing arts professionals through access to international connections, knowledge and a dynamic forum for exchange.
www.ietm.org
HKU University of the Arts is a university of the arts that aims to forge new links with society and develop new applications for social issues. With almost 4,000 students, HKU is the biggest university of the arts in the Netherlands and among the top of its peers in Europe.
The Professorship in Performative Processes, led by Nirav Christophe, researches creative processes in all the arts that have a performative nature. The research responds to the current situation, where former performative practices are being replaced by new forms, in which the borders between disciplines, media and platforms are no longer a de ning factor. The goal of this research is to generate acceleration, liberalisation and innovation in creative processes within and outside the arts.
www.hku.nl
Joris Weijdom is a researcher and designer of theatrical experiences using mixed reality technology. He is the founder of the HKU Media and Performance Laboratory (MAPLAB), which enabled from 2012 until 2015 practice-led artistic research on the intersection of performance, media and technology. He works as a researcher at the Professorship in Performative Processes and teaches at several BA and MA courses at the HKU University of the Arts Utrecht.
www.linkedin.com/in/jorisweijdom
Contributors are pvi collective: kelli mccluskey & steve bull with steve berrick & chris williams; Abel Enklaar, Marieke Nooren, Gable Roelofsen; David Gochfeld and Javier Molina; Simon Wilkinson; Maria Lantin, Athomas Goldberg, Ken Perlin, David Lobser, Thecla Schiphorst; Sander Veenhof, Rosa Frabsnap, Marloeke van der Vlugt.
