Alison French
Does Art Need a Bodyguard?
Posted by Jun 26, 2010 0 comments
Alison French
As technology enables artists and arts groups to share video and content of their work to the masses, some artists (and unions) are raising the question of control. As I sat down to hear the session, Technology’s Impact on the Future of Traditional Arts Delivery Systems at the Americans for the Arts Half-Century Summit, I was curious to hear what the panel had to say about control. Should we protect the artistic process? Does art-making need to be mysterious to be magical?
After reading a recent article about Peter Gelb, managing director of the Metropolitan Opera in Vanity Fair, I was looking forward to hearing how the MET had sold its casts and crews and artistic team on the idea of broadcasting its productions via LIVE satellite to audiences in movie theaters across the world. As a marketing professional, this strategy sounds like a smart, creative and bold way to engage new audiences. As a former stage manager, it sounds impossible. How did the MET get everyone on board with cameras on stage, backstage, in the house, in the lobbies? Elena Park, the director of creative content at the Met Opera, shared their story with us yesterday. And Tim Svenonius from SFMOMA, Ferol Vernon of ReverbNation, and Rich Mintz from Blue State Digital all provided supportive commentary.
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