Design & Artistic Philosophy
As a designer and artistic director, I approach my work as creating spaces that transcend functionality, becoming vessels for transformation and emotional resonance. Whether in theater, opera, or film, I focus on crafting environments that ground the audience visually while inviting them into profound engagement with the narrative.
Designing is an act of storytelling.
It is about shaping spaces that trigger emotions, spark imagination, and provide performers with the tools to inhabit their characters’ worlds fully. My work lies at the intersection of art and architecture, rooted in a holistic understanding of how space influences experience.
Collaboration is at the heart of my process. I see design as part of a living, breathing organism: an exchange of ideas and creativity between directors, performers, and the design team.
I weave visual aesthetics into this dialogue, ensuring that every element aligns to serve the story. The set becomes more than a stage; it is a dynamic reflection of the collective vision.
I am particularly drawn to abstract and interactive designs that challenge traditional boundaries. Yet, my approach is always adaptive, shaped by the specific needs of the narrative and the director’s vision. Each project is a unique opportunity to create something that is not only visually compelling but also deeply connected to the heart of the story.
With a foundation in architecture, I bring a critical perspective to the spatial relationships within performance venues, constantly questioning how the architecture of a theater impacts the interplay between audience and performers. My designs seek to break conventions, fostering spaces where art, emotion, and human connection converge.
My Approach to Artistic Direction: Expanding the Boundaries:
As an artistic director, i aim to create work that challenges the conventions of traditional theater. The static, passive engagement that confines audiences to a singular fixed point of perception no longer satisfies the potential of live performance. Inspired by the philosophies of Peter Brook and Antonin Artaud's Theatre of Cruelty, I seek to dissolve the barriers between the audience and the performance space.
This drive to break the fourth wall and push boundaries has illuminated the distinction between set design and experience design. While both focus on visual storytelling, experience design invites audiences to engage with the narrative on a deeper, more visceral level.
My goal is to shape spaces that immerse the audience, connecting them to the story in a way that engages their bodies and senses, not just their minds.
Every set I design serves as a bridge between the tangible and the symbolic, grounding the story in specific details while opening pathways to myth and abstraction. Thoughtfully crafted spaces heighten the theatrical experience, elevating it to a supernatural dimension where actors transcend their characters, and props and objects in space become tools for deeper exploration. By creating patterns of movement and visual stimuli, the design can help performers access their characters' authenticity and guide them to the edges of their emotional and creative potential.
To achieve a cohesive vision, I emphasize collaboration with other design disciplines. Costumes and lighting are integral elements that harmonize with the set, creating a unified and continuous aesthetic. Together, these components elevate the performance, providing a seamless interplay between visuals and narrative.
A critical question in my work is sustainability. How can I reduce waste and create environmentally conscious designs? While true sustainability in set design may seem elusive, I am committed to exploring alternatives. Projection, 3D mapping, and technology offer innovative possibilities, transforming simple shapes into infinite variations of aesthetics and color, reducing material consumption while expanding creative potential.
Ultimately, the set is not the event itself.
As designers, we provide the tools and visual language to support the director's vision and elevate the experiences of both performers and audiences. By crafting spaces that resonate on multiple levels, I aim to transform the ephemeral art of live performance into something transcendent.
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