I've been wondering about the current trends in theatre design towards minimalism. As a designer, minimalist techniques appeal to me, however, it is necessary to ask the following question -
Other than aesthetic motivations, what are the reasons for using this style in theatre design?
A minimalist design may be employed to communicate the intent of a performance more clearly. By meticulously removing all the elements of production that are not specifically crucial to the transmission of a definitive concept, it is hoped that the audience will not miss the message, which the theatre practitioner is trying to communicate.
However this leads me to ask a second question –
By designing with the intention to communicate a definitive concept are theatre makers erroneously trying to control the experience of the audience?
In other words, does this form of design not dictate what an audience member can look at, thereby deciding what the audience member should think? Would a fuller design possibly give the spectator more autonomy by allowing the eye to make an independent journey, juxtaposing different images into limitless combinations?
In essence, my concern is that the attempt to communicate a core theme by minimalist design, may risk treating the audience as idiots. If instead we as theatre artists could relinquish control of the movement of the audience eye we could allow individual audience members the space to think autonomously and experience something independently within the collective.
In the upcoming mash-up project (which is due on the 13th of Nov) I will try to explore how to design in a less prescriptive manner. Ill report back if I can find any answers to these questions.
Other than aesthetic motivations, what are the reasons for using this style in theatre design?
A minimalist design may be employed to communicate the intent of a performance more clearly. By meticulously removing all the elements of production that are not specifically crucial to the transmission of a definitive concept, it is hoped that the audience will not miss the message, which the theatre practitioner is trying to communicate.
However this leads me to ask a second question –
By designing with the intention to communicate a definitive concept are theatre makers erroneously trying to control the experience of the audience?
In other words, does this form of design not dictate what an audience member can look at, thereby deciding what the audience member should think? Would a fuller design possibly give the spectator more autonomy by allowing the eye to make an independent journey, juxtaposing different images into limitless combinations?
In essence, my concern is that the attempt to communicate a core theme by minimalist design, may risk treating the audience as idiots. If instead we as theatre artists could relinquish control of the movement of the audience eye we could allow individual audience members the space to think autonomously and experience something independently within the collective.
In the upcoming mash-up project (which is due on the 13th of Nov) I will try to explore how to design in a less prescriptive manner. Ill report back if I can find any answers to these questions.
2 comments:
this may be worth reading if you haven't seen it already;
http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/theatreblog/2008/oct/23/theatre-royal-court-design
x
Thanks for that link Harriet,
it was a very though provoking post. I’ve written a response to it with a few words on the main blog page.
Keep the inputs rolling in.
They are really helping me frame my ideas.
Thank you
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