European urban theater group Xtnt recently completed a painstakingly detailed and stunningly executed performance piece inspired by Google Street View. The result is an interactive augmented reality-like experience that takes users through the current European Capital of Culture, Mons, Belgium.
The Xtnt project involved an astonishing 900 people, 42 streets and ten-kilometers of photography. Each shot was set up to appear as an organic bit of organized chaos that was recorded on a single 360-degree camera mounted atop a car, in true Google Street View-style.
The incredible cross-disciplinary effort from Xtnt is like watching a massive one-shot film along the lines of 'Russian Ark,' and is a stunning collaborative project that incorporates technology, art and performance, while challenging traditional models of theater.
Interactive Street Theatrics
This Astounding Theater Project by Xtnt Mirrors Google Street View
Trend Themes
1. Augmented Reality Collaborations - There is an opportunity for technology and performance art to collaborate seamlessly producing ongoing hybrid performances.
2. Interactive Theater Experiences - There is a growing demand for immersive theater experiences, which allow the audience to participate and interact with the performance to create a unique experience.
3. 360-degree Cinema - 360-degree filming presents new opportunities for filmmakers to create one-shot films and craft more compelling cinema experiences.
Industry Implications
1. Performing Arts - Utilizing technology can help theater companies create innovative productions, increasing viewer engagement and potentially growing their audience.
2. Film and Cinema - Producing one-shot films using 360-degree filming could offer unique cinema experiences that draw in a wider audience.
3. Digital and Creative Technology - There are new opportunities in bridging art and technology to create interactive augmented reality-like experiences for both entertainment and practical use in media and advertising.