Live Ain't Live: Dance Institutions and the Digital Transformation

Last exit streaming. When the pandemic suddenly befell the performing arts, many festivals and venues were confronted by the challenge of fundamental restructuring – even though for many people the readily available contemporary digital cultures still represented the evil other in relation to the live art form of dance. Is it really that easy to transfer the ephemeral and fragile intimacy of dance to the digital realm? Or does it lose its true essence in the attempt? In this panel, artistic directors and curators from dance venues and festivals talk about their experiences and the future prospects of a digital revolution that became reality sooner than expected. What possibilities were found to keep the experience of dance alive during the pandemic? How can lasting formats and forms be developed from the rapidly introduced measures? And is the retention of digital and hybrid forms an interesting perspective at all? Finally there should also be a discussion about how far dance has changed in relation to its presentation and reception, and what this means for future programming and funding.