Living Lab Newsletter

Dear Metavenues participants,

It was an absolute pleasure to gather with such a dynamic and insightful group for the Living Lab of the Metavenues project last October. You can find here a short summary of what happened and a preview of the next testing phase – please save the date 11.02.2025 to join us at SPOT Groningen for a blended VR/AR performance where we will test pre- and post-show opportunities.

WHAT WE DID IN OCTOBER

Throughout our time together, we delved into some of the most pressing research questions surrounding integrating immersive technologies into performing arts venues. The discussions and collaborations reaffirmed the significance of exploring new structures—both physical and virtual—that could serve as hubs for knowledge and experimentation with emerging technologies. Inspired by the pioneering efforts of the Smart Venues project, led by Jos Feijen, Director of Effenaar, as well as the virtual campuses developed by Komodal, we envisioned possibilities for a third-party entity dedicated to fostering innovation, collaboration, and resource-sharing across the sector.

Another highlight of the Lab was the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of Maud Clavier, former CEO of VRROOM, whose insights into virtual shows and their potential opened new avenues for reflection. Her contributions, along with your active participation, helped us to critically examine how immersive technologies might enrich and complement the offerings of existing venues, expanding the ways we engage with audiences and artists alike.

THE NEXT STEPS – SAVE THE DATE 11.02.2025 @SPOT Groningen

Looking ahead, we are excited to transition into the testing phase of the project, where we will bring some of the concepts to life. The first initiative is a blended performance experiment featuring Danny van Zuijlen, one of our artists involved in the Metavenues project. His immersive theater production, Sleepy Hollow, combines classic storytelling with modern technologies such as virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR). This experiment, scheduled for February 11 and 12, 2025, at SPOT Groningen, aims to test the added value of pre- and post-show opportunities in enhancing audience engagement and enriching the overall audience experience.

Additionally, we will organize a multi-day Metaverse Event in late spring 2025. This digital gathering aims to share knowledge and inspiration about immersive technologies within the performing arts sector. The event will include hardware manufacturers, artists who have already implemented these technologies in their shows, and professionals from other relevant industries sharing their experiences. The event will be hosted in the metaverse to encourage broad participation and, overcoming some of the limitations of traditional online platforms like Zoom, to foster organic and meaningful connections. We will keep you posted about this in due times.

Thank you once again for your enthusiastic participation and for bringing your voices to this shared lab. We look forward to staying connected and continuing to explore these exciting possibilities together.

All the best for the upcoming festive period,

The Metavenues team – SPOT, Komodal, ECHO

The metavenues consortium is implemented by SPOT Groningen, Komodal, the European Concert Hall Organisation, and co-funded by the European Union in the frame of the Creative Europe programme.