Digital Performance Archive

A record of the development of 'digital performance'. Resource deposited with the AHDS by Barry Smith (University of Bristol, 2006) and Steve Dixon (Brunel University, 2006)

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Description

The Digital Performance Archive (DPA) traces the rapid developments taking place which combine performance activity with new digital technologies - from live theatre and dance productions that incorporate digital projections, to performances that take place on the computer-screen via webcasts and interactive virtual environments. The Archive also collates examples of how computer technologies are being used to create, document or analyse performance - from software applications for choreography and theatre design to specialist websites, e-zines and CD-ROMs. The project aims to be of value to researchers across a wide range of academic disciplines, from drama and performance to art and design, from the social sciences to computer science and cybernetics. The Digital Performance Archive, is an Arts and Humanities Research Board (UK) funded joint venture between the universities of Nottingham Trent and Salford (UK).

The Digital Performance Archive

While digital performance events and experiments proliferate and new performance genres are beginning to emerge, no central record or archive of these developments is currently being collated. The Digital Performance Archive aims to fill that gap by archiving and critically analysing significant new interdisciplinary developments in performance which draw upon, (or exist within) digital media in its varied forms. To this end, The Digital Performance Archive is undertaking a comprehensive study and recording of the development of ‘digital performance’ in the last decade of the Twentieth Century.

The study covers both digital resources used IN performance and digital resources ON performance in the period studied. Digital resources in performance include theatrical productions and live–art installations that incorporate electronic media, to live–broadcast World Wide Web performances and Internet based collaborations, to interactive drama and the new performative ‘virtual environments’ of MUDS, MOOs and IRC. Digital resources on performance include those being used to document, analyse and critique performance: from performing arts databases, websites and mailing lists, to academic CD-ROMS and DVDs.

The project aims to be of value to researchers across a wide range of academic disciplines, from drama and performance to art and design, from the social sciences to computer science and cybernetics. The archive is a joint project between the Digital Research Unit of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at The Nottingham Trent University, and the Media and Performance Research Unit, School of Media, Music and Performance at the University of Salford.

The physical version of the collection is held at the University of Bristol Theatre Collection - contact liveart-archives@bristol.ac.uk