About: Scenography's evolution over time & how stage design creates opportunity for new perspective
Demand - The growing interest in modern theater
Who is this exhibition for?
Youth to mid age
~19-40
Interest in:
Music
Art
Creative/Diy Culture
Because of the growing interest in modern stagecraft, it makes sense to create an exhibition on the process and technology behind it.
To foster a deeper sense of connection, a section on traditional theater's evolution and influence on modern techniques is included.
To foster a deeper sense of connection, a section on traditional theater's evolution and influence on modern techniques is included.
30% Old
70% New
Content of the exhibition: 30% traditional theater, 70% modern theater.
Message:
Theater is a tool for expression & understanding life from different perspectives
Historic Theater
Old theater: Realistic expression
&
Semi-modern: Abstract expression
New Theater
New theater: No boundaries - appeal to create emotions in any way possible
Location: ArtCenter Williamson Art Gallery
This exhibition concept was designed around the Williamson gallery space which was visited in person and measured.
Original site as measured
Exhibition layout proposal
Floorplan layout detail
Reflected ceiling plan
Greek/Roman theater
This area is about the feeling of rediscovering relics of past historical theater in a new light
The Greek & Roman era was characterized by flat backdrops and lack of depth & distance between the performer and the viewer.
Contrasting a futuristic science lab & old wooden crates, a feeling of discovering past relics is created. Elevated crates & binoculars recreate the feeling of being the distant observer
The feeling of discovering ancient relics of the past, forgotten but now rediscovered
Greek/Roman
Large opened crates contain frescos and flats used in historical Greek and Roman theater, like looking into a hidden back room of a museum
Greek/Roman
Close up view of a descriptive panel
Greek/Roman
Renaissance theater
The Renaissance brought perspective to theater and a new focus on realism.
A burst of freshness as the space around you seems to come to life
A burst of freshness as the space around you seems to come to life
Large rollers rotate wallpapers of Renaissance artwork emphasizing the new feeling of perspective that was added to backdrops at the time
The Renaissance period focused on new levels of realism and perspective. This area reflects that as if looking through a picture frame with large rollers of environmental art surrounding you
Renaissance
View walking into the revolving corridor
Renaissance
Close up revolving panel view
Renaissance
Semi-modern theater (1950s)
The 1950s brought a return to theatrical purity and focused on abstract spaces portrayed using the fewest elements possible
This space uses low pressure sodium lights to create the feeling of being in a black & white space stripping the space to back to the basics
Inspiration: “A man who married a dumb wife” stage design by Robert Edmond Jones. This new way of design focused on shifting people's emotions in a space over being photo real.
Alexandra Exter
Credit: Olafur Eliasson
1950s: During this time, stage design adopted a “back to the basics” mentality, emphasizing straight lines, minimalist black and white colors, and abstracted space.
Modern Times: A low pressure sodium lights usage, removing color perception. This allows viewers to focus on what historical designers intended: their feelings in the space, not what they see
Semi-Modern
The yellow lighting effect & simplified scenic elements in this space immerses viewers into the minimal approach of the time, like they’ve been transported into the set themselves
Semi-Modern
Bullring backstage - Modern Theater
A transitional space designed to build curiosity and anticipation
This space serves as a transition space & recreates the feeling of being backstage at a show. It uses projection mapping and sound to create build up of anticipation & discovery
Each ring is a small room that visitors can pull the curtain back on & explore. Through exploration, these small scene helps the space come to life
The Prayer
The sensation that “something’s there” only to subvert expectations
Bullring Backstage
Each “backstage area” has a accompanying poster, like a carnival
Bullring Backstage
People observing the “Lacing Up” exhibit
Bullring Backstage
Lacing up the boots
This installation conveys the illusion that giants matadors are marching behind the screen, only to reveal that all that’s left behind is a tiny shoe
Bullring Backstage
Bulls on Parade
At this stage the arches get bigger and bigger prompting visitors to stick their whole head behind the curtain.
This installation contains shadows of horns moving and the sound of snorting bulls. When the guest pulls back the curtain, only projected shadows of hooves are seen on the ground
This installation contains shadows of horns moving and the sound of snorting bulls. When the guest pulls back the curtain, only projected shadows of hooves are seen on the ground
Bullring Backstage
People reacting to the “Raging Bull” exhibit.
Bullring Backstage
An animatronic that charges into the sheet holding it. Now guests understand their role. They anticipate that in the next area it’s their chance to take the stage.
Bullring Backstage
Bullring Backstage
Quick physical mockup created during the design process to get a feel of the interaction.
A proof of concept made in touchdesigner that simulates what happens when someone comes close to the physical fabric.
Bullring Backstage
Bull head animatronic schematic
Bullring Backstage
A curtain entry into the next area the bullring. Here there are large hoof projections onto the ground.
Bullring Backstage
The bullring
Taking on the role of the performer
This space uses projection mapping to allow guests to experience the feeling of being a performer with shadows of an audience on the curtains, and bulls on the floor.
The projections react to the guest.
The projections react to the guest.
Overhead projectors cast audience shadows onto the vertical curtains. When a guest gets near, the shadows jump apart. On the ground are projected bull shadows that chase guests around.
Goal: Create a “performer” feel for guests with a reactive “audience” using motion tracking and projection technology.
With modern tech, even musical performance can be considered theater. This area reflects the performative, and equally reactive part of that experience. A modern matador performing and eliciting a reaction from the crowd.
With modern tech, even musical performance can be considered theater. This area reflects the performative, and equally reactive part of that experience. A modern matador performing and eliciting a reaction from the crowd.
The Bullring
The Bullring
What people will see when they run at the curtain.
A reference to bulls charging and musicians stage diving
A reference to bulls charging and musicians stage diving
The mountain
Climbing higher and higher
This space recreates the feeling of how performing can make you feel on top of the world using projected clouds on the floor and mountain peak “seats”.
Oversize digital panels overhead display images making you feel larger than life.
Oversize digital panels overhead display images making you feel larger than life.
Digital lighting panels overhead get bigger as you walk allowing guests to gradually notice the effect overhead.
Being:
On top of the world, climbing higher and higher through the clouds until you are larger than life as a performer
On top of the world, climbing higher and higher through the clouds until you are larger than life as a performer
The Mountain
Painted foam mountain “peaks”, similar to a stage. Each peak further down the hall gets shorter and shorter as if they are disappearing into the clouds.
The Mountain
The final mountain stage is a short peak that has a snowy appearance. The largest of overhead panels is here that casts a otherworldly glow on the visitor. As if their aura grows as they reach higher and higher peaks.
The Mountain
The Sandstorm
This space uses reactive motion tracking like that used in modern concerts.
Digital screens surrounding visitors simulate the energy of being a performer with the force of a hurricane.
Digital screens surrounding visitors simulate the energy of being a performer with the force of a hurricane.
Where guests stand is calm like the eye of the storm that follows their movements. The eye of the storm concept references the strong feeling of “being in the moment” that modern stage design can create.
Cameras track the position of the guest and adjust the video. Speakers play the roaring sound of the wind.
This area is inspired by modern technology like reactive projections that follows the performer.
The sandstorm exhibition area aims to mimic the interactive nature of concerts, feeling like you can control the whole space around you with your bare hands. Projected graphics that react to your movement like the sand add to the otherworldly atmosphere.
The sandstorm exhibition area aims to mimic the interactive nature of concerts, feeling like you can control the whole space around you with your bare hands. Projected graphics that react to your movement like the sand add to the otherworldly atmosphere.
The Sandstorm
Where people move, the calm “eye” of the storm will follow
The Sandstorm
A proof of concept made in touchdesigner.
The calm eye of the storm follows visitors and makes them feel like they are the source & center of energy in the hallway.
The calm eye of the storm follows visitors and makes them feel like they are the source & center of energy in the hallway.
The Sandstorm
As people move through the hallway, the quiet zone follows them with winds roaring around and projected sand moving underneath their feet
The Sandstorm
Final hallway of the exhibition before the experience comes to a close.
The Sandstorm
Guest Takeaways:
Enter:
Strategy:
Exit:
Entering visitors might feel intrigued but unaware of how theatrical environments are curated and created.
Designed spaces that highlight different theatrical techniques as well as the influence of historical theater over time, so people become aware of how theatrical moments are crafted.
Visitors emerge with a appreciation and understanding of the artistry behind theatrical moments from realism, to abstraction, to a journey of emotion.