Dream big – Lot Fourteen and Fringe to showcase arts and technology

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Dream big – Lot Fourteen and Fringe to showcase arts and technology

In a first for the Adelaide Fringe, Lot Fourteen will host Electric Dreams – a five-day exploration and showcase of how technology is changing the arts as part of the 2020 Fringe in February.

Electric Dreams will comprise a three-day creative industries conference looking at how technology is changing the arts from February 19 to 21 and a five-day virtual reality program and immersive storytelling showcase from February 19 to 23.

The conference will offer world class presentations and panels from international arts organisations working with technology at the commercial and creative cutting edge to find new ways to connect with audiences and create the innovative theatre, gallery, museum and film experiences for the audiences of the future.

Electric Dreams will also present some of the most exciting immersive storytelling works from around the world at Lot Fourteen in a virtual reality cinema and across North Terrace in the Masonic Lodge.

Lot Fourteen is an ideas neighbourhood being developed to nurture talent and opportunities in some of the world’s fastest growing industries, including use of creative technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), special effects and film and television production.

Adelaide Fringe Director and Chief Executive Heather Croall said Electric Dreams was an exciting addition to the interactive genre in the Adelaide Fringe Program for 2020.

“Electric Dreams is a rare opportunity for us all to directly experience how technology is rapidly changing and growing the way we engage with and create art,” she said.

“This is a chance for creative practitioners to see how digital developments could be applied to their work, and for the wider public to see mind blowing work from some the world’s most innovative immersive storytellers.”

Innovation and Skills Minister David Pisoni said the State Government was pleased to be a major supporter of Electric Dreams.

“Emerging and immersive technologies are offering innovative ways for creative minds to connect with new audiences and we are thrilled to have the mix of innovators, entrepreneurs, technology creators and digital pioneers here at Lot Fourteen for the Electric Dreams conference where they will be able to share their amazing work with us,” he said.

“It’s a great opportunity for South Australians to come together with the delegates and spark new collaborations into the future.”

Lot Fourteen Place and Marketing Director Rachel Walsh said Electric Dreams would be a world-class event that would showcase the business potential of Lot Fourteen and South Australia.

“After a smaller scale yet highly successful activation with Adelaide Fringe in 2019, Lot Fourteen are excited to further establish Adelaide’s East End as a destination for technology and art,” she said.

Electric Dreams will explore immersive storytelling and addresses trends in gaming, VR & AR and the impact these technologies are having on theatre works, screen productions and other art forms.

Conference participants will hear from leading international artists and creative technologists through presentations, demonstrations, workshops and pitches. The program includes professionals from Andy Serkis’ The Imaginarium Studios, The Royal Shakespeare Company, Peter Jackson’s company WETA, Magic Leap and many more.

Conference registrations are now open and tickets are on sale for the VR program at adelaidefringe.com.au.

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