Moving Through Digitalization - My Two Cents.

As more cities and countries gradually ease lockdown measures, the return to 'normalcy' seems to be an unknown for most of us. As the virus brought the world (and economies) to its knees at the beginning of this year, there has been a sense of halt. Yet, the world seemed to be continuing at its own pace:

• Changes in Consumerism (attitudes, behaviours, and purchasing habits): while purchases are centered over purchasing basic needs, people are shopping more consciously. Supporting local independent business has seen an increase, as well as digital commerce (online shopping)

• Covid-19 Lockdowns significantly impacting global air quality: Studies have found that nitrogen dioxide pollution over Northern China, Western Europe and the U.S have decreased as much as 60% as compared to the same time last year.

• Let's not forget that our cities have been visited by some Wildlife visitors as they roam the streets.

• An increase in community spirits as people sing and watch movies from their balconies, boosting a sense of morale in keeping spirits up.

Singapore was hit by 2 waves of the Covid-19 infections (1st wave - local community, 2nd wave - foreign workers). The lockdown in Singapore happened rather rapidly, where the government announced a nationwide lockdown on April 7th, 2020. This lockdown, (not so) fondly referred as the 'Circuit Breaker' (the words, choices!) involve tight implementations in order to combat and gain control of the Covid-19 situation locally.

Quite suddenly, I found myself scrambling to understand how to conduct online dance lessons, figuring a 'contingency plan' in moving forward in order to gain a better balance amongst the mess! I felt like I was in a limbo, and had to sober up rather quickly. Trying to grapple with technology was a challenge in itself. Attempting to deliver quality classes through online platforms is even tougher than I anticipated.

It's been a month and a half since that shaky start. As weeks passed, I have progressed and improved leaps since, and there's some thoughts on my mind that I would like to share.

Digitalisation Opens More Possibilities to Access the Arts

As we stayed in our homes and physical spaces are becoming increasingly restrictive and policed, technology and screens become our closest companions to 'travel' virtually - museums offering free virtual tours, free concerts to be live-streamed amongst other goodies which you can find in this compilation I gathered at the beginning of Circuit Breaker period. Digital spaces, in turn, are proliferated and becoming more popular. I'm sure most of us say this whenever we want to have a chat:

"Sure, send me the Zoom link."

Whilst these platforms have their benefits, it is a double-edged sword. Conversations are much more difficult on these digital platforms as there is less personal freedom in communicating your thoughts, which creates a dissonance between your mind and body. Another sentence which we have all said at some point during a call:

"Sorry, could you repeat that again please?"

(it's an earworm, especially in large group calls)

Be it on Zoom, Google Hangouts or Skype, we experience this in one way or another - your screen freezes, your audio has screeching feedback, you dress smart casual (smart on top and lazy at the bottom). This means that we have to be more alert in processing non-verbal cues such as body language, tone and pitch of voice, facial expression. When you are on camera, you are very aware that you are being watched (including you watching yourself). This might cause social pressure on the feeling to perform - at least I surely feel that way. No wonder video conferencing are so draining! [link here]

Teaching online classes has made me more self-conscious from my appearance to my teaching approach. At times, I would even spray 1 puff of perfume just to make myself be 'in the zone', just like when I am physically going to venues to teach. I care about how I look because I need to look professional and presentable, and includes smell. Even though my students online may not be able to smell, I don't want to share a smell with my bed.

In the words of Dr Ong Keng Sen during his interview with Apart.Sg, "Art in a digital medium has the potential to be more accessible and affordable to certain audiences." I cannot agree with this sentence more. Here's why:

As a human species, we have gone through 3 major revolutions - Agricultural, Industrial and Digital. The Digital Revolution began during the 1950s-1970s, it is actually very recent history. In fact, we are living it right now. The digitalisation of the arts was not born in a single day, this pandemic accelerated this process. When we talk about the physical spaces of theatres, galleries and other venues of showcase, we associate it with communal gatherings, enjoying the 'lived' experience with a group of people, sharing the same common experiences etc. What makes the lived experience so special?

Breath.

The "passing of breath" is important in order for us to feel each other, and it is integral to any kind of ensemble work. It connects life together, and breath is what separates us from objects/non-living things. When you sit and watch a performance, you are seeing movement, breath, energy, heat, emotions, thoughts happening all at once. It is an experience uniquely to such venues, and the reason why people will always prefer watching a live performance.

However, what might we foresee in a Post-Covid Concert/Performance? Here's 2 real possibilities:

1. Seating Plans (which impacts audience attendance)

When you look at this image of the Berliner Ensemble uninstalling 500 out of 700 seats in this auditorium, it is just a glimpse of what the Post-Covid Theatre Experience might look like. In other words, this might actually be a reality. I mean, look at the amount of space!

When you take this into consideration, this means that only 1/4 of the auditorium will be filled with seats, which means that the maximum capacity of audience per performance will decrease drastically by almost 25%. Here's an interesting article with possible statistics of Post-Covid audience attendance [link here]. Although this article is specifically looking at the U.S as a case study, it systematically dissects the outlook on theatres all over the globe and what these changes might bring. This poses a huge challenge for the theatre to break even in their ticket sales, which brings me to my second point.

2. Tickets Prices $$$

Ticket prices are definitely going to be significantly increased in order to compensate for the decrease in people. When one gives way, the other needs to compensate. This implies that the experience of going to watch a live performance will draw a wider gap between people who can afford such a luxury and people who can't. Art being accessible? I call BS.

The digital medium not only creates a more economically affordable way to enjoy the arts, it is also much more accessible than saving up money to watch your favourite band or orchestra perform in your local concert hall. Additionally, I strongly believe that the digital can be an 'amplifier' of the 'live'. We should not fear it. On the contrary, if we are able to harness the potential that digitalisation has on benefitting the lived/physical experiences, it will be able to provide art-goers/consumers with that freedom of choice to go see something digital or live.

Yet it is a delicate balance. For art the survive in the digital medium, the work needs to be made with the intention for the digital platform. The content must be repackaged and deliberately considered. Grappling with technology makes us treasure the "live". This pandemic has revealed the fragility of live performance, and it deserves our protection.

A Far Wider Reach and Impact Than I Can Imagine...

When I kickstarted my online classes, I had no idea if it was going to work. My mentality was to just simply do what I can and offer myself to people who are interested. I needed to continue making a living, somehow. Teaching was the most direct and beneficial way for me to my craft, earn some income and get some exercise in without being too much of a couch potato. Like many other freelancers out there, it was driven from a place of scarcity and survival.

An aspect which I love about the arts is that the arts are about risk, grit, adaptability and resistance.

Risk: I took a risk by putting myself out there and offering myself.

Grit: Even if I had one student, I showed up to the practice. I was determined and persevered, even if the results were not immediately seen.

Adaptability: The key to innovation, and the reasons why businesses survive or fail. In such unprecedented times, you have to be highly adaptable to your surroundings, otherwise you will stay stagnant and be left behind. SpaceCuboid is a great example of this, which I will share in a bit.

Resistance: In my case, the resistance was to not stay stagnant or be miserable just because a pandemic happened.

I started small, teaching to a small circle of friends where the motivation was to just simply move and train together from home. This allowed me to understand the intricacies of online teaching, which is slightly different to in-person teaching. I had to learn how to use Zoom effectively, invest in equipments such as a dance mat and microphone and even pace the way I conduct and share. I observed other classes and took some pointers on what I need to be aware of when conducting virtual classes, what are students looking for etc. Ultimately, people want real-time feedback or the energy of classmates, and knowing that they are having a good time as they do in a physical setting.

I am very grateful to have the support of the students from near and far. It makes me feel a sense of accomplishment in knowing that I can empower and inspire other people to gradually feel confident in their bodies through movement. As a result of teaching, it improves and inform my own practice with more depth and insight on how to initiate, facilitate movements. SpaceCuboid, for example, is a project that was born out of adversity. With the lockdown of studios and physical classes, how can we ensure that people are able to enjoy the benefits of dance whilst keeping active and sane? This was the starting point to this platform. In just one month after their launch, they have gathered local and regional recognition with a base of 200 subscribers

(P.S. Not taking online classes is absolutely fine too. There are definitely limitations that hinder from the improved learning experience, and sometimes you just don't feel like doing anything but to focus on other stuff. I respect that, 100%. To each their own.)

Often, it is not the lack of technology to do what we need, but often the know-how. Hence there has been a sharp increase in online courses that offers training to conduct online lessons. Training and knowledge to ensure digital programmes can run smoothly and provide support to audiences are crucial in achieving this harmonious balance between the virtual and "live".

As I write this, I recognise the privileged position I am in to have these resources around me. We are in a privileged position to be able to afford online classes, to be able to afford a piece of technological device even if it is just a smartphone.

Personal Reflections

One of the most positive outcomes that came out of my personal Covid-19 experience is a deeper sense of appreciation for my craft. I used to see teaching as a means to earn a living, and not enjoying the process of doing so because I was money-driven. At this stage, I have come to discover that teaching has significantly improved the way I move and perform. I am able to see it from multiple perspectives, which allows me to gain a deeper insight and knowledge into the craft. Although I am no means an expert in any way, shape or form, I try to continuously remain curious.

As we attempt to imagine a world post Covid-19, life will be different as to how we experienced previously. There will be stricter regulations that will be implemented long-term. Physical and psychological rules will be implemented, and might stay for a long time to come. There is a sense of nostalgia in mourning the past. However, I am incredibly excited for what's to come especially on the collaboration between technology and the physical 'lived' experience.

Within the dance and arts sector, I hope to see more personal and intimate works that has nothing to do with Covid-19. I am certain that whilst this pandemic has significantly impacted our lives. I am curious about other people's experiences, their thoughts, their imaginations, even to what they do at home. Arts thrives from adversity and resilience, and that makes me excited thinking about it. In the words of Steve Paxton, a Postmodern Dancer and Choreographer:

"Dance explores some of the physical possibilities, and time, space, gravity, opening up to gravity. This seems to me a reminder of nature, of our natures."

Final thought: I hope that this pandemic has managed to shed a light on the arts sector, and the importance of arts and cultures. I came across a saying which describes the arts as the 'soul' to the city - fragile, expressive and precious. Unfortunately, the arts is the most expendable sector - which means significant budget cuts and the first few to be on the 'chopping block' when it comes to allocating resources and budgets. My hope is that discussion can be brought to the table on re-correcting, as the arts are a space where ideas and people are welcomed, even now.

Normalcy itself has changed, and we are currently in the space of adapting and moving forward. Although art in a digital medium has the potential to reach a wider scope of audiences, we need to be mindful and deliberate on how we balance the virtual and the live. Not just within the arts, but life as we used to know, and will soon realise to become.