In reply to Beryl’s quote “The relationship between Live Art and new media has often been one simply
one of documentation or distribution”
Speaking purely as a technician, and if we are defining New media (I know it’s a loaded question) as
it’s means of production is also it’s means of presentation, then the live art area has a long history of
new media interaction.
The first synchronisation systems for lighting, video, sound etc all started with Live arts, DMX control
used to control countless art works was developed for the theatre, Dataton control system used to
control any playback medium was developed for live use as well as exhibition, and recently the new
digital equalisation systems now being developed for live use will find their way in to the gallery.
I think what I’m saying is that there has been a history of innovation of technology in live arts that we
could conclude is new media, and I’m sure that the blurring of the edges between the two will
continue. Looking at the recent Navigate performances and talks this issue of new media within live
arts is becoming more prevalent.
Quickly going back to the definition of new media, a live arts performers means of production is also
their means of presentation are they themselves new media?
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