Once one of the most beautiful theatres in Paris, the Gaîté Lyrique was where you could listen to Offenbach's operettas and see Diaghilev's Russian Ballet with programmes designed by Cocteau in a decor by Picasso. In its 'second' life the Gaîté was transformed into a theme park, with miniature trains and a space rocket planted right in the heart of the 3rd arrondissement. 2 March marks the renaissance of the Gaîté Lyrique, a unique space dedicated to digital arts and cultures. To celebrate this (re)opening an exceptional programme has been designed, comprising interactive theatre, concerts, artistic journeys,  which sees the British artists collective UVA (United Visual Artists) take centre stage in a specially-commissioned interaction with the public using the building's unique architecture, and cutting-edge mixing of images, music and light.

UVA are mostly known for their live performances with Massive Attack, U2 and The Chemical Brothers, but also for their visual installations in the gardens of the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Turbine Hall in the Tate Modern in London. United Visual Artists push the limits of imagination by creating unique immersive experiences using the latest technology. The opening of the Gaîté Lyrique is an opportunity for the wider public to participate in the artistic projects that have been created in residence over the past couple of months. The journey conceived by UVA interrogates our relationship to images, and particularly the digital footprint generated by our actions. It ressembles an elaborate surveillance system, which offers each of us the chance to reflect on the notion of identity at this time of digital revolution. .

United Visual Artists (UVA) at the Gaîté Lyrique
From 2 - 6 mars 2011.

To find out more: UVA's official website
+ Video : United Visual Artists on Vimeo

Place
La Gaîté Lyrique
3 bis rue Papin
75003 Paris

To find out more:  Gaîté Lyrique's official website

Photo credit : La Gaîté Lyrique by Philippe Ruault