Performing Arts in the Age of Digital Reproduction

Performance Art

While some may believe we are close to achieving the purest art form that technology has to offer, I see it another way. Understanding the differences between live performance and a recorded performance are often difficult due to the relative appreciation of every individual. Consensus in the arts is very hard to come by, but when it does, it is obvious. The digital age has allowed for the consumer of music, movies, Internet video sensations and various other forms of performance art in our times. It is important to analyze both the benefits and the negative impacts this technology has brought while forcing the artistic world to conform to its principles. The purpose of this essay is to examine the effect that technology has had on performance art within the last decade highlighted by the computer medium as a primary source of entertainment.

The most beneficial impact of digital music, in my opinion, is the accessibility that this form possesses. Instantaneous acquisitions and seamless transaction define this way of attaining music and other art forms. CD stores and movie rental stores are quickly becoming a thing of the past as on-demand entertainment reaches across all spans of entertainment. Most likely your cable provider can provide a movie that you've been looking for. This is much easier and much more conducive to today's lifestyle with all of the emphasis on society focusing on saving time and energy. Google any picture and you can see various forms of art that were impossible to see nearly 20 years ago without actually going to museum. This is an obvious benefit, however such instantaneous gratification comes with a price.

Although this accessibility has saved time and energy in acquiring this music, it is just as important to examine the quality of the music that's being produced. YouTube, MySpace, Facebook and other social media outlets provide a means for every single person in the world to announce his or her art form in a digital form. Write a song and put it on YouTube if you want, and if it's good, hopefully somebody will watch it and enjoy it. However the quality of this music undoubtedly suffers. In search of the real good music, we are now forced to muddle through all the poor performances that before, were not available and were filtered out by the past conventional means of producing music.

Comparing a recorded piece of music to a live performance of music demonstrates the impact of live energy and what it can do and add specific performance. The energy of the crowd and its contribution to the performance art should never be underestimated and certainly not eliminated from the equation. If one could imagine in certain concerts such as Woodstock and Live Aid or lollapalooza festivals where these performances were taking place in a studio with no audience? It's really not that big of a problem because live music is still thriving today. Professional music acts understand the need to tour and play their music in front of other people in order to make a living. While it is easier for corporations to make money off digital music, focusing only on the bottom line of profits will eventually force every musician into another profession because there being no way to make money off this format for the artist.

Many within the music industry also have a problem with digital music, not because of the financial implications but because of the quality implications. Ogg described how long time performer Neil Young is trying to increase the quality of digital music because of the state it is in now is not acceptable. Ogg explained how the band Radiohead is now offering high-resolution digital music to combat this problem. Duplicating the concert hall is nearly impossible in any home studio or car or anywhere else where one might want to listen to music. Simmons also noted how record label chairman Jimmy Iovine is pushing for higher quality in an effort to help keep his industry relevant. It is essential that the performer, the audience and even the industry chiefs make sure that the quality of this medium stays intact.