Using performing arts to engage our visitors
Can performing arts help to convey complex messages, foster a more open and personal approach to scientific issues and allow for the production of new cultural products? Museums and science centres that choose to carry out a variety of activities in settings and contexts different from their traditional locations are increasingly numerous. At the same time, many institutions experiment with new forms of representation of scientific content - such as the performing arts - especially on controversial and "hot" topics or cutting-edge science.
This panel session will present a balanced mix of theoretical perspectives, practitioners’ reflections and case-studies from various contexts (festivals, theatres, projects, etc.), focusing on the pros and cons of these forms of experimentation.
Session speakers
Director of the Science Centre
The presentation will illustrate two examples of "science show" realized during an important classical music festival held every year in a strongly characterized landscape context and, in one case, directly interacting with a natural phenomenon. The presentation will focus on the pros and cons of events like these and on the professionalism necessary to achieve them.
Acting Head of Programming
Science Gallery Dublin is a space where science and art collide, however historically this has primarily been visual art (including digital & new media) and science. But what happens when science and theatre collide? Science and spoken word? Or science and clowning? With a background in producing performance, Aisling Murray, Exhibitions Manager at Science Gallery Dublin, will discuss the ways in which different artistic mediums can effectively communicate otherwise difficult topics with audiences. Using INTIMACY as an example, which explored topics from empathy to consent, and during which an entire gallery, FOR PLAY, was turned into a playground for performance and research.
I will be presenting the results and actions from a Nordplus project where theater groups, universities and science centers from Estonia, Sweden, Norway and Iceland come together to explore the power of using theater and dramapresentations in new ways. The project is particularly focused on presenting science content to engage and encourage an audience into action about the agenda 2030 and the sustainable development goals.
Development - International Partnership Coordinator
The presentation aims to frame the session discussion, focusing on the different ways in which artists, scientists and science communicators/curators can meet and influence each other in their practice. Diverse levels of interaction between professionals can lead to diverse results. Harvesting the specific strengths and nature of each expertise, means creating cultural products that are unattainable by individual professionals working separately.
