Constraints and creativity: Transforming a live artistic experience for children into Zoom

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7577/ar.5837

Keywords:

virtual performance, COVID-19, pandemic, interactive art, Zoom adaptation, creative strategies

Abstract

This article explores how the Portuguese ensemble Companhia de Música Teatral (CMT) adapted their live performance PaPI – Opus 8 for Zoom in response to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, which severely limited in-person gatherings and artistic events. Originally planned for a nationwide tour, PaPI – Opus 8 faced major challenges due to pandemic restrictions, prompting CMT to rework the piece for an online audience. The result was a transformed version titled PaPI – Opus 8.z, crafted specifically for the Zoom video-conferencing platform. The article gives a detailed examination of this performance piece and its reception, providing a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and achievements associated with the adaptation of this live performance to the virtual realm.

The article explores the transformation process into an online format, examining both the losses and gains incurred. To facilitate this exploration, an introduction to CMT and a contextualization of their work is given. Subsequently, PaPI – Opus 8 is situated within CMT's body of work, including its "sister" pieces, with a particular focus on evaluating the significance of interaction with the audience during the performance. This is followed by an overview of the pandemic-related constraints and the strategies employed by CMT to continue creating performances. To illustrate these strategies, two other CMT creations developed during quarantine are discussed as pivotal steps on the pathway from PaPI – Opus 8 to the transformed online performance PaPI – Opus 8.z.

Cover photo by Companhia de Música Teatral

Author Biographies

Jorge Graça, CESEM | NOVA – FCSH, Companhia de Música Teatral

Jorge Graça is a researcher and PhD candidate in Musical Sciences at NOVA University of Lisbon – Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FCSH).

Paulo M. Rodrigues, INET-md | University of Aveiro, Companhia de Música Teatral

Paulo Maria Rodrigues is assistant professor at INET-md | University of Aveiro. He is a composer, performer, artistic director and educator. He is also co-founder of Companhia de Música Teatral.

Helena Rodrigues, Companhia de Música Teatral

Helena Rodrigues is associate professor at NOVA University of Lisbon – Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FCSH) and founder of The Laboratory of Music and Communication in Infancy at the university. She is also co-founder of Companhia de Música Teatral.

Jan Sverre Knudsen, Oslo Metropolitan University

Jan Sverre Knudsen is professor of music at Oslo Metropolitan University, Faculty of Education and International Studies.

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A performer playing with a round canvas screen

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Published

2024-11-26

How to Cite

Graça, J., Rodrigues, P. M., Rodrigues, H., & Knudsen, J. S. (2024). Constraints and creativity: Transforming a live artistic experience for children into Zoom. Nordic Journal of Art & Research, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.7577/ar.5837

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Section

Articles, peer reviewed