Technology and Live Performing Arts - Essay Example

Technology and Live performing arts Life would have almost no meaningwithout entertainment and people have forever been allured by different forms of performing arts. In the early 19th century, live performances was provided to most citizens by large organizations, theater groups mostly in the large cities while the touring groups targeted audiences in the smaller towns. However, technological advancement led to a shift in the scenario of performing arts. Slowly, the encroachment of technology into the performing arts industry led to the gradual disappearance of organizations associated with live performances. Recorded music, followed by radio, television, audios and CDs began to replace live performances and attracted audiences. But, there lies a paradox in this since even though the rise of technology led to a diversion of audiences from a more art based industry to a more commercialized form, even to this day people enjoy live performances. It is true that that rapid growth of technology has had both positive and negative impacts on the industry of performing arts. It is not really clear as to whether these impacts are absolutely good or absolutely bad for the industry. Most of the organizers in today’s times feel that technology is one of the biggest competitors of live art performers. In order to attract potential audiences for live shows, organizers need to compete with almost 3000-5000 both print and visual commercial marketing messages that a typical American citizen comes across every single day. It is hard for the live performing organizations to reach out to the vast expanse of the audience in the way technology based performances such as audios and CDs do. Today, people have become self-oriented and need privatization, customization and easy access to almost everything. Live performances do not meet such demands. Live performances are bound by number of performances, timing of performances, artists performance and even travelling to the set venue and parking. In contrast to this technology such as iTunes or YouTube and even the humble recorded music allows easy access to music and other art forms to everyone and the young generation especially is attracted to such commercialized forms which allows all types of flexibility to the audience (Cameron, 2011). This is perhaps where both accessibility, convenience and financial aspects come in. When the audience can freely enjoy performances through the television, internet or watch videos, whenever they want, at whatever location while paying almost a negligible amount for this. In contrast to this live performances such as concerts, operas and dance shows need to charge a lot of money in order to pay for the venue, artists and other stage accessories. In addition to the high cost of tickets are the various inconveniences that audience need to bear with while opting a live performance over the television of the internet. One of the most importance impacts that the technological advancement has had on the industry is mostly financial. Today, technology has reached to its very zenith and even a computer is capable of emitting numerous sounds from a wide array of instruments. This, eliminates the need for extra musicians and cuts the cost of purchasing or hiring on-stage instruments. For example, in 2014, a show at Hartford Conn. Had been postponed since the director, Charles Goldstein instead of hiring musicians had opted to accompany the artists and singers with recorded sounds played by in a computer. Technologically, the computers had been advanced to such a state that no other instrument was needed while the computer alone was capable enough to play various noted at a go. This, obviously resulted in a conflict between live performing unions and the director (Pogue, 2014). The introduction of technology has given an option to most producers who often select digital music over real musicians since today it is next to impossible to distinguish between real music and digital music. Director Goldstein, was of the opinion that his preference of digital music was entirely financial in nature since in case he has opted for a full live orchestra for his opera show, the cost of show would have risen drastically and would lead to a subsequent rise in the price of tickets as well. There exists a group of people who feel technological encroachment is a boon simply because it has the capability to make things appear far superior than they actually are or will be. Researchers feel that American citizens in the future will choose to experience performing arts through broadcasting or other forms of media and not through live performances since the quality of the former will keep on increasing (McCarthy et al, 2001). On the other hand diehard fans of live performances are of the opinion that live music is far superior to what an mP3 can deliver. The gasps of air taken by the singers, looking at the musicians play their instruments and even minor glitches while performing creates an atmosphere that no recorded music can create. The sense of belonging while clapping , the absolute trance that the audience swoons to is something that one cannot experience in the comfort of one’s home or car (Guttenberg, 2008). The battle between technology and live music is one which is far away from an ending. People have passion for both and have reasons to support both. On one side, live music is something that is often considered irreplaceable since it gives you to see the shows and listen to performances live, in the actual stage settings. Live shows give you an opportunity to see the performances at their best, displaying their talents in front of a live audience. On the other hand, supporters of technology consider that live performance may be replaceable since today the recorded sound and live sound is often undistinguishable and in many cases technological advancements make the recorded ones sound much better. Recorded music and other digital forms of performances allow easy access and convenience of enjoyment without much of the hassle that are associated with having to travel all the way to watch a live show even though a recorded form of a concert can never compete with the enchanting feeling one experiences while watching a live performance. Therefore, to me, live performances can never be replaced but one cannot stop time and needs to allow things to change accordingly. It is therefore time to accept both forms and allow a cordial amalgamation between the two such that performances can easily incorporate technology to help them perform better and reach out to the expecting audience. References Cameron,B. (2011).A New Era for the Performing Arts.One: John Hopkins Carey Business School. Retrieved from http://carey.jhu.edu/one/2011/fall/a-new-era-for-the-performing-arts/ on 12/4/2015. Guttenberg, S.(2008). What’s better live or recorded music? CNET. Retrieved from http://www.cnet.com/news/whats-better-live-or-recorded-music/ on 12/4/2015. McCarthy,K et al.(2001). The performing arts in a new era. Rand. Retrieved from http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/monograph_reports/2007/MR1367.pdf on 11/4/2015. Pogue, D. (2014). Why Digital Music Looks Set to Replace Live Performances. Scientific American. Retrieved from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-digital-music-looks-set-to-replace-live-performances/ on 12/4/2015. Read More