Starting today April 5th, 2024… 🙂

The Performing Arts x Tech Lab (Lab) is set to unveil an Industry Sharing at the Esplanade Annexe Studio until April 13, 2024. This event is open to the public, potential partners, and adopters, offering them the chance to delve into new frontiers in performance creation. It represents the culmination of a nine-month incubation program organized by the National Arts Council (NAC) in collaboration with Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Singapore.

The Industry Sharing will showcase six innovative projects by arts practitioners and technologists, all centered around the fusion of technology and various performing arts disciplines such as theater, dance, and music. Audiences will have the unique opportunity to engage with prototypes and works-in-progress that challenge the boundaries of artistic practice, all developed under the expert guidance of the Lab. The event will feature guided tours of the exhibition, prototype demos, playtests, and sharing sessions where attendees can gain insights into the motivation behind each project directly from the teams involved. Moreover, the project teams will share firsthand insights into the technologies they explored, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and neural audio synthesis, showcasing their continuous commitment to innovation, skill-building, and the elevation of artistic practice.

Projects from top left to right: {Top} DOTS 2.0 by Issy x Cher; perfor.ml by Feelers; {Middle} Theories of Motion by Alina Ling and Andy Lim; The Sound of Stories by Kamini Ramachandran, Syafiq Halid & Chen Enjiao; Verge 2.0 by James Lye, Soultari Amin Farid, Norisham Osman and Eugene Soh; {Bottom} Dancing the Algorithm by Dapheny Chen and Serial Co.

Victor Ang, Director of Technology & Innovation at NAC, emphasized the belief in technology and innovation as catalysts driving a creative economy and the growth of the arts in Singapore. This second edition of the Arts x Tech Lab arose from a partnership with Esplanade, with the aim of fostering innovative cross-sector collaborations. Throughout the nine-month incubation, the creativity and passion of the project teams have continually pushed the boundaries of artmaking and audience experience. The public is encouraged to participate in the Industry Sharing and draw inspiration from these fascinating projects.

Shireen Abdullah, Senior Producer at The Esplanade Co Ltd, expressed the team’s excitement and encouragement at witnessing the growth of the participants throughout the Lab’s duration, including their adjustments, clarifications, and artistic development. The advisory panel’s generous guidance and contributions were also acknowledged, highlighting the mindset shift and openness required when considering technology as a tool for artmaking and performance creation. The Lab’s advisory panel, through individual team consultations and their participation in the Conference-Unconference at Esplanade in October 2023, significantly impacted the Lab teams on both practical and philosophical levels. The Lab has been an incredible learning journey for all involved, and the team looks forward to witnessing the continued progress of the Lab projects beyond the Industry Sharing.

The diverse projects on display highlight the fascinating intersections between the arts and technology. In addition to the guidance provided by technology consultant Keio-NUS CUTE Center, this year’s participants benefitted from consultations with an esteemed local and international advisory panel comprising experts in performance, arts, and technology. This panel includes Head of Immersive Storytelling Studio, National Theatre Toby Coffey (UK), Founding Member and Co-Artistic Director of Zuni Icosahedron Danny Yung (HK), Singaporean artist Ho Tzu Nyen (SG), and Production Project Manager Clarence Ng, Performing Arts Producer Akiko Takeshita, and Artist and Video Engineer Mitsuru Tokisato from Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media (JPN).

Participants have fearlessly pushed the boundaries of artmaking, harnessing the power of technology to elevate the arts and captivate artists and audiences alike. Embarking on an exhilarating journey, Theories of Motion by Alina Ling and Andy Lim delves into the realm of interactive sensor-systems, granting performers the autonomy to influence spatial elements such as light, sound, and projection in a mesmerizing environment. This groundbreaking concept propels performative expressions to new heights, fostering deeper engagement with the audience.

Likewise, Verge 2.0, a creation by James Lye, Soultari Amin Farid, Norisham Osman, and Eugene Soh, delves into the fusion of dance and interactive technologies. This innovative venture empowers dancers to manipulate and control sounds, light, and visuals, redefining the boundaries of artistic expression. Moreover, technology serves as a bridge, enhancing the accessibility of arts experiences and unifying audiences of diverse ages, languages, and backgrounds. DOTS 2.0, a mesmerizing project by Issy x Cher, blends live theatre performance, visual art, and interactive projection to captivate young audiences through a multidisciplinary and unforgettable experience. Furthermore, The Sound of Stories by Kamini Ramachandran, Syafiq Halid & Chen Enjiao aims to deliver transcendent and immersive storytelling performances, leveraging the power of AI and neural audio synthesis.

perfor.ml The artist collective Feelers has fearlessly embraced machine learning, giving rise to a pioneering performance methodology that situates machines as equals to human performers in live performance settings. This breakthrough paves the way for machines to make independent choices, influencing performance sequences through physical actions such as sonic utterances or kinetic gestures, prompting human performers to respond. Exploring the intersection of dance and technology, Dancing the Algorithm, a project by Dapheny Chen and Serial Co, transforms movement scores into a dynamic, ever-evolving interactive digital platform. This endeavor seeks to preserve, explore, and share dance repertoire in the digital realm, ushering in a new era of artistic expression.

The entire public, arts community, and potential partners and adopters across the Public, People, and Private sectors are cordially invited to attend the Industry Sharing at the Annexe Studio from 5th to 6th April and 11th to 13th April. For more details, kindly refer to https://www.nac.gov.sg/singapore-arts-scene/technology-and-innovation/arts-x-tech-lab.

Following the Industry Sharing, the much-anticipated Performing Arts x Tech Lab e-publication will be unveiled in May this year, offering valuable insights and learnings from the passionate participants.

About Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Esplanade is not just any performing arts center; it is the vibrant heartbeat of Singapore’s cultural scene. With an exhilarating yearly line-up of around 3,500 live performances and activities, Esplanade ignites the senses and fuels the soul. Beyond the dazzle of its world-class shows, Esplanade is a beacon of inclusivity, offering enriching experiences to seniors, youth, children, and underserved communities. What’s more, over 70% of the captivating shows held here annually are open for all to revel in.

Esplanade goes beyond physical boundaries, reaching out to audiences in Singapore and beyond through its array of digital programs on Esplanade Offstage. This all-access pass to the performing arts and the rich tapestry of Singaporean and Asian arts and culture includes an enticing mix of videos, podcasts, articles, quizzes, and invaluable resources.

In its relentless pursuit of artistic excellence, Esplanade collaborates closely with local, regional, and international artists to nurture creative talents, push the limits of artistry, and captivate audiences. By commissioning and producing cutting-edge Singaporean and Asian works for the global stage, Esplanade is a driving force in the artistic landscape. Its commitment extends to the development of technical expertise within the national industry.

Operated by The Esplanade Co Ltd (TECL), a not-for-profit organization and registered Charity, Esplanade is not just an artistic powerhouse but also a beacon of transparency and governance. Recognized for its clarity of strategy and transparency, TECL has received both the Charity Governance Award – Special Commendation and the Charity Transparency Award.

What sets Esplanade apart is its unwavering dedication to inclusivity and accessibility. It proudly stands as Singapore’s first Dementia-Friendly Arts Venue and a certified Dementia Go-To Point, as well as a sanctuary for guide/assistance dogs.

Supported by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and Tote Board Family, comprising Tote Board, Singapore Pools, and Singapore Turf Club, Esplanade’s vibrant Community Programs further enrich the cultural tapestry of Singapore.

For an enriching glimpse into this cultural gem, visit Esplanade.com and prepare to be captivated.

About Performing Arts x Tech Lab
The Performing Arts x Tech Lab is a partnership between the National Arts Council
and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, with Keio-NUS CUTE Center as technology consultant.
This edition of the Lab, which started in August 2023, supports practitioners who work in the
performing arts or with performance in general, to encourage innovation and experimentation by
seeding collaboration between arts and technology.