By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
The developments in technology have seen a variety of innovations in the field of the performing arts, which are thought of as a primitive form compared to other genres.
A new kind of experimentation, with state-of-the-art technology, hails changes of the paradigm brought about by information and technology in theatrical performances.
Looking to the future, the first digital drama of its kind utilizing technological devices has debuted.
``Syntasia,'' a digital drama, combining ``synthesis'' and ``fantasia,'' makes the best use of information and technology in theatrical performance.
In the drama, stage, audiences and actors, which are the three main factors for the performance, are digitalized.
The performance is drawing public attention, as it is the first production created jointly by artists and scientists.
Professors of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) took part in the creative process in cooperation with the Goyang Cultural Foundation.
The script is based on ``Robot Flower'' by Kim Tak-hwan, a professor of KAIST and novelist.
Goo Bon-cheul, a professor of the computer music department of the institute directed the drama.
Won Kwang-yeon, dean of the institute's graduate school of culture and technology and other digital media designers joined the project.
The performance runs for 50 minutes. The plot revolves around a 20-year-old woman who loses her identity in 2040 and depicts the process she is looking for it.
There is no stage setting. Instead, various video images are projected onto multiple screens.
The audience seating is divided into eight sections, which enables audiences to listen to different sounds in different seats.
The performers are transformed into two different images through transparent glass screens.
``So far, when it comes to performances, people think it is about an interesting story happening in the real world. But in the digital performance, it is about a future story which will happen 30 years from now,'' Won said.
``The drama is intended to show how technology can instill imagination, abstraction and creation to audiences,'' he said.
Audience members can participate in parts of the performance via their mobile phones.
The performance consists of five acts for 50 minutes with more than 10 technologies to help the plot flow smoothly and will be held at Saerasae Digital Theater of Goyang Aramnuri Arts Complex, Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province until July 15.
Tickets cost from 40,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, call 1577-7766 or visit www.artgy.or.kr.