In the landscape of the performing arts, the intersection between live performance and technology has become a captivating realm of exploration. From October 23rd to October 27th, the talented team of artists and researchers at Alternative Dramaturgies: Marginality, the Senses and Technology (Alt|D) are embarking on a five-day journey, delving into the realms of binaural sound, vibrational experiences, and video imaging technologies, inspired by the sensory perceptions of visually-disabled and neurodiverse experiences. The first of three laboratories supported by the Canada Council, the Conseil des arts de Montréal and the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, this unique collaboration aims to explore innovations in communication in regards to theatrical production and break down the silos of performing arts.
At the heart of this ambitious initiative lies a quest for artistic innovation, an earnest desire to discover new avenues of storytelling that can blend together theater and the possibilities of technology. In an added dimension, the works of artists Audrey-Anne Bouchard, Kagan Goh, Peter Farbridge, and Jean-François Boisvenue seek to explore vocabularies driven by Disabled and neurodiverse realities that engage and immerse audiences in an experiential narratives.Â
Harnessing the power of binaural sound technology, Florian Grond endeavours to create a sensory experience that envelops the audience, transporting them into the very fabric of the narrative. By leveraging the intricacies of sound localization, they seek to orchestrate sensory experiences that resonate deeply with the audience.
The exploration of vibration devices by VibraFusionLab’s David Bobier is revolutionizing the way audiences perceive and engage with the theatrical medium. By integrating tactile sensations into the performance, Alt|D aims to explore an all-encompassing physical experience, blurring the lines between the tangible and the ephemeral, and amplifying the impact of the narrative on a visceral level.
Simultaneously, the integration of video imaging technologies, supported by the team of Scène interactives technology, under the direction of Nicolas Berzi and Armando Menicacci, serves to expand the limits of visual storytelling. By seamlessly blending virtual and physical realities, Alt|D explands ongoing research and creation that seamlessly weaves live performance with the allure of digital imagery.
The ultimate goal of this creative convergence is to inspire new ways of intercultural and interdisciplinary dialogue, to explore a novel form of artistic expression that transcends conventional communication. Alt|D aspires to build narratives that speak to often excluded experiences, building access and tools for neurodiverse and Disabled artists, forging new connections and new possibilities that resonate deeply with audiences.Â
With this first laboratory, Alternative Dramaturgies: Marginality, the Senses and Technology embarks on this transformative journey. Through their pursuit of innovation involving marginalized perspectives,, ushering in a paradigm shift that will resonate across the realms of performing arts
We would like to thank the following funders and partners who have made this possible:
- VibraFusionLab
- Scènes interactives technologiques
- Canada Arts CouncilÂ
- Conseil des arts de Montréal
- Conseil et des lettres du QuébecÂ
- Centre for Oral History and Digital Storytelling
