For many people our age, living in our corner of the world, drones represent the hobbyists and the festival videographers of the world, and evoke images of Drone vs Kangaroo and Enrique Iglesias slicing his finger open on stage.
But now – for all you discerning patrons of the arts i.e. smug kernts – is the time of the Drone Opera.
Australian artist Matthew Sleeth and Experimenta Media Arts have combined brains to create ‘an experimental multimedia performance featuring drones, their pilots and opera singers.’
As their name suggests, Experimenta be messing with a lot of experimental ~vibes~ and Sleeth is wont to work heavily with new technologies. But what was it about drones that drew them?
“We’re always on the lookout for the technological innovations that are starting to impact in the broader cultural sphere” said Experimenta Director Jonathan Parsons. “So, it’s not necessarily when they’re invented, but when they become more broadly accessible as a tool for artists and often that has to do with the price point.”
Jonathan spoke of the same process with personal computers; after their release in the 80s in the 90s you began to see artists working with them as a tool. He continued:
“From our point of view, we could see the same thing happening with drone technology in the last year or so. It’s starting to impact in all sorts of areas in our culture. And it’s a really interesting territory because there are the DIY hobbyists who are playing with it as a toy, but it’s also being tested and used now in all sorts of emergency recovery situations. You know, drones were used in the Christchurch earthquake to inspect buildings? It was a much safer way of doing it, rather than sending in search and rescue personnel. And, of course, they’re being used in warfare.”
This will be one of the first times drones have been used in performance in Australia. How you say…’zeitgeist’?
When it comes to what audiences can expect, we’re not entirely sure tbh but we do know that the audience will be in a cage-like structure, so that they’re completely protected. [CC: Hero up top]
Otherwise, you’ll be able to hear them, feel the displacement of the air made by the rotors and just generally get intimate with the little fuckers.
“Absolutely. A younger audience will be the ones who are starting to play with drones as a toy, so they may be unaware of its use in other contexts so I think this is a great opportunity for them to come along and see an exploration in an artistic performance as well as a greater understanding of some of the different sorts of uses of drone technology in contemporary society.”
This experimental AF world premiere will be buzzing around the Arts House at Meat Market from the 10th-13th of September. For tickets and info head to artshouse.com.au
Images supplied.
