Live vs digital: the new old debate

The digital dimension is not alien to the performing arts – it has been developing and flourishing for decades. However, when the pandemic challenged the live component of our art form, the performing arts sector has been pushed to embrace digitalisation at an even more rapid pace.

For some, it has been an opportunity to renew their artistic form, reach out to new audiences, and enhance accessibility. For others, digitalisation has been merely a part of their survival strategy, a temporary solution going at odds with their aesthetics and artistic values. Is it not a high time to acknowledge and to get to grips with this difference, if not a clash, of perspectives and approaches?

This session, held in the context of IETM Lyon Plenary Meeting 2021, was a moment to reflect upon some of the opportunities and contradictions that came to light in regard to the digitalisation of the performing arts.

Speaker

John Ashford, Aerowaves, United Kingdom

Cinty Ionescu, Artist, Romania

Karen Toftegaard, WILDTOPIA, Denmark

Moderator

Elena Polivtseva, IETM, Belgium