Module 1 Focus Skype discussion - September 28th

On Monday I attended the Module 1 focus discussion group via Skype. I wanted to attend this Skype call not only as a way to connect with others in the same position as me but also to gain some other ideas and perspectives on the 3 lenses. The key ideas we discussed were Web 2.0 and ethical questions to consider in the arts and creative industries.

One interesting point I took away from this discussion was the difficulty artists are facing in trying to find a balance between utilising social media as a platform for self-promotion and as a place to express themselves and their opinions as individuals. As many big shows now include Instagram/Twitter handles in their programs, performers are finding themselves unintentionally becoming influencers and end up receiving negative and degrading comments as a result of what they have or haven’t posted. Artists are now feeling pressure to keep up a certain persona on social media that may or may not allow them to be true to themself and their own beliefs. We then expanded our discussion to look at some of the more positive aspects of web 2.0 and the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on the way the performing arts industry is using it. We spoke about how Web 2.0 allows us to connect with and learn from other artists we may have otherwise never have encountered and build a larger community within our respective industries. During the pandemic, this community served as a reminder to artists worldwide that we are not alone in the struggles we are facing and allowed us to keep working and learning even when stuck at home in lockdown. 

Another key focus of this discussion looked at questioning the portrayal and representation of culture, race, and ethnicity in the entertainment industry. We discussed how what is deemed as "politically correct" varies depending on whether a show or film is based on a true historical event or is a theoretical, fictional depiction of what could have been. We spoke about how some shows conduct segregated auditions to account for the different the style of movement and vocals required for people of colour in particular shows and how although it seemed strange that one wouldn't meet the other half of the cast until rehearsals began, it makes sense since the way they perform on stage is completely different. We also touched on how the recent protests and growth of the Black Lives Matter movement have made many question the cultural accuracy of 'traditional' ethnic dances performed in live shows.

I found this discussion really interesting and it opened my eyes to issues in the arts industry that I haven't previously been exposed to or thought about. A big takeaway for me was the importance of questioning questions rather than just looking for an answer. It sparked ideas in my own mind as to how my practice incorporates Web 2.0 and I believe the points we spoke about will aid me in elaborating my map of my professional practice.