Atelier News #4: Discussing co-productions and meeting the artist

On Thursday, 27 October, the Atelier for Young Festival Managers took place at the Izmir’s brand-new MÜZIKSEV, Turkey’s first music museum. The working day was kicked-off with an in-depth question and answer session between the participants, Fruzsina Szép and Michał Merzcyński. Both share their experience and additionally informed participants about related publications and networks. “We have to think about the new media when we organise our festivals, in order to use them in the best way,” said Michał. Digitisation is happening, whether we want it or not, and the cultural and artistic world has to make good use of it: in performances, in communicating about the festivals, in recording and documenting the festival etc. But “nothing compares with being at a performance, together with other people,” Michał reminded the group. Referring to the Sziget Festival, Fruzsina added: “People want to come together for a week.” The use of media and processes of digitisation raise question of copyrights, the biggest challenge for legislation in the field of new media. Is there a need of a general policy? Are national associations collecting copyrights still legitimate? Should artists take things in their own hands and fight for their rights, festivals on their side? All presenters explained their coproducing strategies, their successes and their failures, calling the participants to get inspired and create new platforms for co-productions. Nele Hertling and Michał Merzcyński both shared their experience in Theorem, an initiative for co-productions between Western and Eastern Europe theatres in the late 1990ies. This topic raised many issues: how to share the costs between the partners? Where and how to start? How to establish trust, the most basic element for the success of a co-production? “It is not about the money, but about giving an artist the chance to distribute his work to a larger audience, thanks to the artistic conviction of the co-producer,” said Nele. “Co-production is a risk but it is the most fruitful way to produce new pieces,” added Michał. Throughout the day, small groups spread in the building to discuss different topics in between glass cases showing MÜZIKSEV’s extensive collection of historic instruments, always accompanied by an experienced festival leader. This old building which is typical for Izmir’s Alsancak neighbourhood, sparked many new thoughts – the participants are already starting to plan productions and projects together! Several groups sought out the sun in the beautiful tiled garden. Lunch was also served in the garden, and in the afternoon the group sessions continued with different experienced festival leaders in each group. For the evening session, the Atelier host IKSEV had chosen Ayavukla Church where Mr Hasan Uçarsu told the group about his experiences and work. Mr Uçarsu is one of the leading contemporary composers in Turkey and shared much of his festival experience. As he also teaches composition, he can make the comparison between the older and the younger generation of Turkish composers. The big difference he sees, is that today’s generation is not looking for identity, whereas his generation composed mainly in search of identity. After the presentation, an extensive dinner buffet awaited the group once again and after having enjoyed the specialties in the garden of the church, everybody went back to the hotels for an early evening to let sink the many impressions of the day. For further information please visit the Atelier website or contact EFA at atelier@efa-aef.eu. More photos at the Photo Gallery. Related news: • Atelier News #7: End of the week, new beginning! • Atelier News #6: To the roots of civilizations • Atelier News #5: Journey through the festivals of the world • Atelier News #3: Experienced festival directors disclose their strategies and driving forces • Atelier News #2: Second Atelier day sparking many “aha moments” • Atelier News #1: Inspiring start for the 4th Atelier for Young Festival Managers