"Art Thou Paying Attention?" : Presence and Sustainability in the Performing Arts

Abstract

This project started from the idea that the premise of the performing arts is to capture people’s attention. But at the same time our attention is under pressure through experience economy, digitalisation and work-life conditions. We consider it urgent to work with how to find ways of creating sustainable relations to attention within this field.      The purpose was therefore to develop a more sustainable relation to attention within the performing arts, in the meeting with meditative practices.       The research questions we are working with are the following:  -       In which ways can the use of meditative practices contribute to a more sustainable relation to attention in the performing arts and in artistic education? -       How can we create an increased awareness of the relation between artistic choices and the demands on practitioners’ and audiences’ attention