To a Digitally and Artistically Exciting 2009.

If 2009 sounds like a year that should be reserved for the novels of Arthur C. Clarke, rather than being an actual year, the credit crunch doom ‘n’ gloom might appear to make it an unlikely year to be optimistic about “progress.” Yet, in many ways, the arts is likely to embrace digital technology this year like never before.
In film, the move towards digital continues at a pace – with cinemas slowly but surely converting to digital projection and digital distribution; at the same time as film makers are exploring the new generation of 3D as being a way to keep the audiences flocking in. Yet, nothing seems to work like an old fashioned story – and one with songs – as the runaway success of that most retro of properties, Mamma Mia, has shown.
For the theatre and classical music sectors, the year’s Manchester International Festival will no doubt be a real highlight – and you can well imagine that the pyrotechnics on display at any blockbuster shows will be digitally controlled rather than lights and mirrors. Classical music realises it has to punch above its weight on the web – so expect to see more content provided for free, or in addition to the main event. The Bridgewater Hall’s new website launches early in the year, and should make it far easier to see what’s on at one of our premier venues.
In visual arts, there’s always a little tension between the “digital artists”, and those using other art forms, but promoting themselves using technology. With the higher end international art market likely to suffer more than most from the credit crunch, it will be interesting to see what both our commercial and public galleries do to increase the reach of their artforms. Expect to see far more digital guided tours similar to the Tate Liverpool’s Klimt for iPod.
There’s certainly going to be plenty of opportunities to “see more” of what the arts is doing with digital technology and during the year, I’ll be pointing out forthcoming events – such as Futuresonic 2009 in May – that might be of interest to the arts.
We’re hoping to see a Manchester venue be added to the Fabchannel roster of venues sometime during the year; looking forward to the long-anticipated implementation of “next generation broadband” along the cultural corridor that is Manchester’s Oxford Road, and the re-opening – with a strong digital presence – of the iconic Band on the Wall.
Manchester people remain “early adopters” when it comes to new technology, so expect all your friends to be sitting around with their iPhones, Netbooks and the like, as Manchester continues to be a truly networked city, in every sense of the word.