The digitalization of the scenographic space of La Fura dels Baus. From the street to the audiovisual spectacle

The analysis of La Fura dels Baus reveals the extent to which the abandonment of a neo-avant-garde approach in favour of a large-scale audiovisual spectacle is a contemporary response to the aesthetic interests of 21st-century society. They create scenographic spaces characterised by images, in which merge a multitude of formats, both physical and digital. The idea of space is more than a simple distribution of elements and should be considered as an integral part in the artistic process. This, together with a coherent use of technology, achieves different modes of relationship between the audience and the actors. La Fura dels Baus, since its origin in Catalonia around 1978, exemplifies the importance of space and digital elements in the materialisation of a plastic idea. Such is the case that in each of its three vital stages (street group, guild and theatre company) a different idea of space can be identified in accordance with its temporal context: the communal space of the street, the shared space of the performances and the visual space of the contemporary spectacle. La Fura’s contribution has significantly enhanced our comprehension of the part played by audiovisual performances in modern aesthetics.