Scenographic Rhetoric

Dr. Rachel Hann

Design

Scenography

Scenographic

Performance

Scenografi

Scenografia

Scénografie

Scénographie

Anglophone Lexicon circa 1950:

Scenic Design

Stage Design

Theatre Design

Set Design

Or, just Design

Escenografía

Scenografija

Bühnenbauer

Scenovedenie

Scenography

Debating Scenography: Points of Departure

Even though the practice has existed for hundreds of years in various forms, as a term ‘scenography’ is relatively new and still unfamiliar. It has superseded the phase ‘theatre design’, for ‘scenography’ denotes the integrated work on all elements of a production, from costumes though soundscapes to masks, a breath which the expressions ‘stage design’, ‘scenic design’ and ‘theatre design’ cannot encompass.

(Allain and Harvie 2006: 203)

Debating Scenography: Points of Departure

While the word has to some a faintly pretentious ring to it (some

seeing a too-foreign influence in its use), others are beginning to

see the real differences that lie between scenographer and

scenic designer.

(Payne 1994: xxi)

Debating Scenography: Points of Departure

One might argue that scenography has become the principle dramaturgy of performance-making – perhaps close to a direct translation of scaena and graphos ‘drawing with the scene’ – where all aspect of ‘the scene’ (scenic space, embodied action, material, clothes, light and sound) may become the materials laid out on the performance-maker’s ‘palette’.

(Baugh 2013: 240)

Debating Scenography: Points of Departure

a manifesto …

Scenography with a ‘y’ / why Scenography?

Scenography is 'of the theatre'.

Scenography is one ‘discipline of the stage’

Scenography is not set: scenography is active, in a state of revelation.

Within the expanded field of Performance Design, scenography rereads as 'to graphos scenarios'.

Scenography denotes the relational practice that occurs

between/betwixt the design(ed) elements (light, environment, object,

sound, costume).

'Scenography' denotes the relational practice that occurs between/betwixt the design(ed) elements

(light, environment, object, sound, costume).

a manifesto …

Scenography with a ‘y’ / why Scenography?

Scenography is 'of the theatre'.

Within the expanded field of Performance Design, scenography rereads as 'to graphos scenarios'.

Scenography is not set: scenography is active, in a state of revelation.

'Scenography' is one ‘discipline of the stage’.

Scenographic Practices

beyond the theatre

The public realm is the performative realm. […] Perhaps,

though, the idea explains too much and too conveniently.

The temptation needs to be tempered, and the claims

particularized. (Davis and Postlewait 2002: 29)

Arguing the ‘Scenographic’: Points of Departure

Arguing the ‘Scenographic’: Points of Departure

John Smith

The Girl Chewing Gum

(1976)

The term ‘scenographic' denotes a practice that evokes the methods of scenography, but is not necessarily

'of the theatre'.

Blast Theory

Blast Theory

A 'scenographic' perspective focuses on the agency of design practices in a

state of revelation.

Fivemiletown, Northern Ireland

Fivemiletown, Northern Ireland

Fivemiletown, Northern Ireland

Fivemiletown, Northern Ireland

Anthem, Paris

While not all design is 'scenographic', it is productive to consider how a

scenographic perspective operates beyond the theatre in order to grow

the critical distinctiveness of scenography (within the theatre).

Ai Wei Wei, Venice Biennial

Ai Wei Wei, Venice Biennial

While not all design is 'scenographic', it is productive to consider how a scenographic perspective operates beyond the theatre in order to grow the critical distinctiveness of scenography (within the theatre).

Principles of a ‘Scenographic’ Perspective

The term ‘scenographic' denotes a practice that evokes the methods of scenography, but is not necessarily 'of the theatre'.

A 'scenographic' perspective focuses on the agency of design practices in a state of revelation.

Holiday Snaps …

Allain, P. and Harvie, J. (2006) The Routledge Companion to Theatre and Performance, London: Routledge

Baugh, C. (2013) Theatre, Performance and Technology: The development and transformation of scenography, [2nd edition] Basingstoke: Palgrave

Bradby, D. and Sparks, A. (1997) Mise en Scène: French Theatre Now, London: Methuen

Davis, T. C. and Postlewait , T. eds. (2002) Theatricality, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

Payne, D. R. (1994) The Scenographic Imagination, [3rd edition] Carbondale and Edwardsville: Southern Illinois University Press

Bibliography

THANK YOU

www.rachelhann.com