What is the Value of Digital Art? 26 August 2020
"What it is to be more than just culture surfers?"
On 22 October, we launch OAE Player with over 30 new and visually-stunning performance videos. But what is it worth?
Over the last few weeks, we have been running a campaign titled ‘What is the Value of Digital Art?’ to ask you what you think.
As part of this discussion, we hosted a live panel Q&A with Toks Dada, Dame Evelyn Glennie, Lord Ed Vaizey, Steven Devine and David Taylor that you can watch back on YouTube and we invite you to continue that conversation on social media using #ValueOfDigitalArt.
We also held an open competition to ask six writers from our audience to help us understand this important time in our cultural history. Please see the ‘you might like…’ links at the bottom of this webpage.
Another way that you can also actively participate in the debate about what this the value of digital art is by deciding what you’d like to pay for our art when we launch our digital platform, OAE Player on 22 October. As part of our exploration into this important question, for the first 24 hours, a select number of our videos will be available to view on a pay-what-you-this-it-is-worth basis. After this day, a set price will be allocated to each video.
The ultra high definition films on OAE Player will be shot in unique and visually stunning locations and presented as a cinematic experience, rather than a simple live stream.
While the internet is already a bustling hub of free art that is readily available at people’s fingertips, we’re keen to emphasise the distinction between our free videos on YouTube and the paid content on OAE Player. Our YouTube channel will remain as our educational platform; you can learn about baroque instruments in the ‘Introducing the Instrument’ series and teachers and pupils can use the ‘Illustrated Theory of Music’ as a tool for learning the narrative behind the notes. OAE Player will include longer-length concerts and performances, as well as exclusive interviews and insights with renowned artists such as Nicola Benedetti, Roderick Williams and Mark Padmore.
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment CEO Crispin Woodhead says, “great music has always needed and will always need the support of its audience, from the great patrons of the past to today’s fan-base communities. We want people to look, listen, think and then decide what it is to be more than just culture surfers. Now, more than ever, musicians need committed listeners”
"OAE Player will be adding value to everything we do in front of a live audience"
Digital content is not here to replace live concerts. Instead, it is an exciting and fresh addition to music-making which has the potential to reach a much broader and more diverse audience than live music ever could. With this in mind, we encourage you to consider the value of digital art and recognise its place in a post-pandemic world.
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Principal Keyboard player Steven Devine says, “as the OAE is very much a “live” orchestra, we can use all the digital skills we have accumulated during lockdown to enhance our live music experience – perhaps reaching audiences who may not be able to otherwise come to our live performances. I’m very excited that OAE Player will be adding value to everything we do in front of a live audience.”
OAE Player launches on 22 October, but you can pre-purchase an annual pass today for just £99.
