A masterclass on the creative use of technology for artists of any discipline. Adam Donen, the inventor of the ‘holographic drama’ art form, explores how to use technology to serve a creative vision without being a slave to technology – and without huge budgets.
New technologies, software and materials provide practitioners in every art form with the capacity to do things previously impossible. But without a clear creative vision, it is easy to become the servant of the technology one uses; and easy to become despondent about the things one cannot do if one does not have an unlimited budget. But many works with large budgets end up as idiotic, concept-less demonstrations of the power of money to create ‘wow moments’ and little else. Donen, a multidisciplinary artist, uses examples from the development of his hologram, film and sound works (including vNAF world premiere Nixon in Agony, created in over five countries under lockdown) as a starting point towards developing a creative approach that prioritises the core idea of the work above all else. Only then should one consider what tech, or even what art form, is best for allowing that idea to express itself.
The masterclass will be followed by an extended Q&A – Donen is happy to remain on the call for as many hours as it takes – in which participants are encouraged to discuss and explore their own individual creative ideas.
Did you miss it? Click play to watch the recording of the event below?
Presented as part of Creativate Digital Arts Festival.