Hello campers,
Have you ever wondered, what the heck is eco scenography and why do we talk about it so much at Living Edge? No surprise given I stumbled into Artistic Direction from a prolific career in design, my work has always been built to raise awareness to the role of environmental design on the psychology of performers and audience. Sharing collective breath and that intrinsic magic of synching up our heart beats with our environment. Okay, I'm not trying to sell you on health and wellness, but the capacity of theatre to affect philosophical discourse is just the salve we all may be needing right about now. Eco-scenography is all the wonder of design's role on that discussion, but adds those three little letters that gives ample agency to the earth holding us in that moment.
Let's break it down. Scenography comes from skene - graphia. Skene which means "scene" and graphia "graphing", otherwise stage painting! Yes it began as flat walls painted to look like road tunnels to foil cartoon coyotes. But as our technology became better at lighting things, 2D scenery walls moved into 3D because painted shadows of trompe l'oeil wasn't cutting it. At the same time as we had movements questioning the role of authors or actors being "of the theatre", an equal movement was happening in design. We moved away from the representational to the abstract. But there is that wild meeting place of nature - both representational and startling abstract. Eco-scenography is that same notion of "stage writing" through ecology. It takes many forms: it may be nature education, it may be stage technology that reduces environmental impact. The nexus we strive to achive is perfect harmony of low impact creation with ample opportunity to inspire to protect these spaces. I find nature shows me regularly where a story is needed.
Our friends at the Centre for Sustainable Practices in the Arts works to help close the gap between theatre and sustainability. I highly encourage you to check them out.
If you would like to get to know one of the community that has published an incredibly informative reading check out Tanja Beers "Eco-Scenography". Her work is next level. If you ever want to collab, ring me please!
As always, enjoy responsibly our incredible landscapes and mesmerizing skies.
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