Contemporary Scenography 2

Display Schedule

Subject guarantor

Name of lecturer(s)

Jan ŠTĚPÁNEK

Department

The subject provides Department of Stage Design

Contents

Classes take place online 27. 2., 13. 3., 20. 3., 27.3. (in person, Haller Hall S 201), 10. 4. and 17. 4. 2025 always at 18.00 to 19.30

This course is a continuation of Contemporary Scenography. It focuses on developments and topics in scenography in the last 50 years. Building on and expanding their knowledge from the previous semester, students will continue examining practices, styles, and artistic and ideological principles of theater makers in Europe and beyond who have used performance space and design in new, unconventional ways to contest the aesthetic, and sometimes political, norms of their communities. An important source will be Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space in its transformations. Through analyses of visual and audiovisual materials, and occasionally readings, we will discuss topics, such as scenographic (re)interpretations of the ‘classics’ (Wagner, Chekhov, Ibsen); digital scenography on stage, and what it means to decolonize scenography.

Students are invited to bring their own examples of 'memorable' use of scenography to enrich our class discussion.

Attendance Requirements

Students must attend at least 4 out of 6 classes to successfully complete the course.

Syllabus outline

(Subject to change)

27. 2.Introductions; review of names and concepts from last semester; Digital Archive of Prague Quadrennial

6. 3. No Class

13. 3.Re)interpretations of the ‘classics’ I: Wagner (R. Lepage; F. Castorff and A. Denic)

20. 3.Re)interpretations of the ‘classics’ II: Chekhov (T. Osteimeier and Pappelbaum; Wooster Group)

27. 3. Re)interpretations of the ‘classics’ III: Ibsen (Katie Mitchell and Alex Eales)

Class meets in person; Hallerův sál, DAMU

3. 4. No Class

10. 4. Digital scenography on stage (Troika Ranch; Chunky Move and others)

17. 4. Towards decolonizing scenography

Learning outcomes

As a result of this course, you will be able to

•Identify some of the key personalities, themes, and concepts of recent and contemporary performance design in Europe, the U.S., and beyond

•Discuss different approaches to space and design in performance, and their relation to cultural and socio-political environments

•Discuss artistic works using basic critical language from theater and performance design, and scenography studies

•Demonstrate critical thinking and cultural sensitivity when approaching different scenographic practices

Prerequisites and other requirements

None.

Literature

Aronson, Arnold (ed.): The Routledge Companion to Scenography. Routledge, 2020.

Barbieri, Donatella. Costume in Performance: Materiality, Culture, and the Body. Bloomsbury, 2017.

Tanja Beer. Ecoscenography: An Introduction for Ecological Design for Performance. Londýn: Palgrave Macmillan, 2022.

Hann, Rachel: Beyond Scenography. Routledge, 2019.

Hannah, Dorita and Harsløf Olav: Performance Design. Museum Tusculanum Press, 2008.

McKinney, Joslin and Phillip Butterworth: The Cambridge Introduction to Scenography. Cambridge University Press, 2015.

McKinney, Joslin and Scott Palmer: Scenography Expanded: An Introduction to Contemporary Performance Design. Methuen/Bloomsbury, 2017.

Wiens, Birgit E. Contemporary Scenography: Practices in German Theatre, Arts and Design. Methuen/Bloomsbury, 2019.

PQ Catalogues and on-line PQ Archive.

Additional materials will be shared in class.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Participation in 4 lectures out of 6 is a condition for the credit.

Further information

Course may be repeated

This course is an elective for all students of this school

Schedule for winter semester 2024/2025:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

Schedule for summer semester 2024/2025:

The subject is a part of the following study plans

• Stage Design (B.A.) (Elective subjects)