The  Art of Opera Design in the Context of the Digital Turn: Culture, Technology, Ethics

Danylo Zholdak

doi:10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI3.261

Authors

Danylo Zholdak Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theater https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1775-7972

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI3.261

Keywords:

cultural identity, ethical challenges, digital technologies, opera art, scenography

Abstract

The aim of the proposed article is to analyze the impact of digital technologies on the development of opera production design through the prism of culture, technology, and ethics, with particular attention to the Ukrainian context. To achieve this task, a scientific approach with elements of case study has been chosen. Semi-structured interviews with experts (10 individuals) were also conducted. Specific cases include the production of "Turandot" (Lviv, Ukraine), the VR-opera "Atlas" (New York, USA), and "Faust" (Geneva, Switzerland). The results of the study indicate that digital technologies have become a powerful factor that has significantly influenced the content, forms, and ethics of opera productions. The study of the Lviv Opera's "Turandot" showed that digital technologies can be a means of preserving and transforming cultural identity. Thanks to visual references to Ukrainian art, it was possible to create a local artistic context. In contrast, the cases of the productions "Atlas" and "Faust" pointed to a clear trend towards the globalization of stage space art. Technological innovations in productions largely depended on the financial and infrastructural capabilities of the theatres. At the same time, there are several ethical dilemmas. For example, there is the issue of opaque authorship of AI-generated content, and the challenge of technological inequality among viewers. Also, viewers and experts noted the issue of content control in the context of individualized perception. In conclusion, it is emphasized that digital innovations should be implemented as a means of enrichment, not as a replacement for the opera tradition

Author Biography

Danylo Zholdak, Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theater

Bachelor’s degree, Production Designer / Main Set Designer,
Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theater.

National Opera & Ballet, Amsterdam, Netherlands

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