69521 - Forms of Multimedia Stage (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student acquires a complete overview of the aesthetic theories and technological integration strategies in place on the performance scene, as well as the relations with experimentation in the field of sound. Starting from the analysis of representative works and the discussion of the main national and international theoretical-critical positions, the student: - acquires the methodological tools to inscribe contemporary practices in a perspective of continuity and rupture with the historical framework of the discipline in question. In terms of skills, this knowledge provides students with: - analytical tools to be applied in the field of education, essay writing, criticism and journalism; - analytical tools to be applied in the field of planning, design and management of specific spectacular events - theatrical and choreographic - linked to the use of technologies and new media.

Course contents

Lessons start: 25 September 2023

[Break between 23 October and 12 November]

Lessons end: 15 November 2023

Monday 9-11 a.m.
Tuesday 9-11am
Wednesday 9-11am

 

AULA DIONISO (Barberia Street, 4)

Title: Extending perception: presence and immersive environment

We cannot define present only what is felt by the senses. In order to detect these presences - all those entities that act at the limit of the resolution power of the sensory organs - it is necessary to develop a strategy that makes them visible and audible. This observation introduces a reflection on the relationship between art and science: every work of art involving technology clarifies the limits of human perception and at the same time allows it to be extended. In other words, technology, before being an instrument, is a form of thought: it makes visible and audible what it is not yet. Starting from an investigation that interweaves knowledge related to the body, perception and technologies on the contemporary performance scene, the course aims to define the aesthetic framework of the notion of immersive environment.

As far as immersive environments are concerned, we are going to analyze the way some practices think of the scene as a device able to immerse the spectator in an audiovisual environment, which makes him aware of the perceptive strategies he has put in place. In order to do this, we will delve into the work of artists such as Studio Azzurro, Herman Kolgen, Ryoichi Kurokawa, Granular Synthesis and Angelin Preljocaj, Ginette Laurin and Martin Messier, Heiner Goebbels, devoting - in addition - a specific focus to the work of the Japanese Dumb Type in collaboration with composer and sound artists Ryoji Ikeda.

 

Readings/Bibliography

1)- E. Quinz, Il cerchio invisibile, Milano, Mimesis, 2015.

2)- P. Eckersall, E. Scheer and F. Shintaro (edited by), The Dumb Type Reader, Copenhagen, Museum Tusculanum Press, 2017.

3)- E. Pitozzi, Magnetica. La composizione coreografica di Cindy Van Acker / La composition chorégraphique de Cindy Van Acker / The choreographic composition of Cindy Van Acker, Macerata, Quodlibet, 2015.

For students not attending the exam consists of an oral interview on the texts in the bibliography + the addition of this book:

E. Pitozzi (a cura di), On Presence, numero monografico della rivista “Culture Teatrali”, n. 21, 2012.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons, with analysis and deepening of the concepts treated, guided analysis of the audiovisual works of the theatre, choreographic and installation scene.

Assessment methods

The evaluation of the course will be carried out according to the ways, timing and guidelines established by the course of study. It will be based on an oral interview. Students may also agree with the Lecturer to prepare an essay on the aspects developed within the module. The written text shall be approx 10 pages and shall be provided to the Lecturer one week before the oral test date. Evaluation will be according to the modes, timing and directive set up for the course and will be based on an oral test.

The final exam will be an oral one, with questions aimed to verify the student's knowledge of the themes discussing during frontal lectures (only for attending students) as well as those treated in the program's texts. Attending students may, alternatively, present a written work agreed with the teacher.

The assessment will concentrate particularly on the skill displayed by the student in handling the material in the exam bibliography and his ability to find and use information and examples to illustrate and correlate the various themes and problems addressed in the course.

The assessment will thus examine the student's:

- factual knowledge of the subject;

- ability to summarise and analyse themes and concepts;

- familiarity with the terminology associated with the subject and his ability to use it effectively.

Top marks will be awarded to a student displaying an overall understanding of the topics discussed during the lectures, combined with a critical approach to the material and a confident and effective use of the appropriate terminology (30 cum laude and 30).

Average marks will be awarded to a student who has memorized the main points of the material and is able to summarise them satisfactorily and provide an effective critical commentary, while failing to display a complete command of the appropriate terminology (29-27).

A mnemonic knowledge of the subject, together with the capacity for synthesis and analysis articulated in a correct language, but not always appropriate, will lead to discreet evaluations (26-24).

Gaps in training and/or imprecise language - albeit in a context of minimal knowledge of the examination material - will lead to sufficient marks (23-21).

Training gaps and/or imprecise language - albeit in a context of minimal knowledge of the examination material - will lead to just enough grades (20-18).

Insufficient training, inappropriate language, lack of orientation within the bibliographic material will be evaluated negatively (<18).

Teaching tools

Audiovisual material from theatre, digital archives; platforms and websites.

Office hours

See the website of Enrico Pitozzi