Architecture, Building and Planning - Theses
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ItemEcoscenography: the paradigm and practice of ecological design in the performing arts( 2016)Contemporary environmental concerns bring with them an opportunity for innovation; to rethink traditional practices and forge new approaches that not only strive for sustainability but also push intellectual and creative boundaries. In the past, the majority of design practices in the performing arts have had little regard for their environmental impact. To determine how design practices can be reimagined to integrate ecological considerations, the industry requires a creative and comprehensive exploration of a range of sustainable strategies. Responding to these concerns, this study explored the application of ecological design within the expanded realm of scenography, while also considering its application to more conventional theatre contexts. Central to the investigation is the proposal of a new paradigm for performance research which integrates ecological considerations into all stages of scenographic thinking and production – where ecological principles and environmental impacts are seen as opportunities rather than constraints. Here, I coin the neologism ‘ecoscenography’ to conceptualise ways in which an ecological ethic can be integrated with scenography. Moving beyond recycling and efficiency, the study sought to investigate a more hopeful paradigm for sustainability, where ecological thinking, regenerative development, community engagement and positive legacies are considered within scenographic practice. Two Creative Works projects were pursued in this context: This is Not Rubbish and The Living Stage/The Trans-Plantable Living Room, with multiple iterations of each. The Creative Works encompassed a variety of research investigations in Australia and the United Kingdom. An analysis of the projects revealed distinct commonalities, including the celebration of multisensory and regenerative elements, multi-level engagement with audiences, and a legacy that exceeds the celebration of the project through performance. The fundamental concepts of ecoscenography are developed through the iterative and reflective process of practice-led creative research, and hence evolve through the progression of this dissertation. The thesis contributes to the field through the development and application of the Ecocenography Trajectory and Five Guiding Principles of Ecoscenography that are used to guide and evaluate the Creative Works. Here, I illustrate the potential for ecoscenography to take a leading role in demonstrating the social and environmental benefits of sustainable practice to the performing arts and the community as a whole. More broadly, this inquiry has significant implications for the role of the scenographer as an activist and facilitator of change, with the potential to cultivate stronger relationships with communities and ecosystems, and to invest directly in their future.