95889 - Forms of the Scenic Space (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students acquire a detailed knowledge of the components of the scenic space. They are able to interpret the corresponding textual and audio-visual sources and to apply the appropriate historiographic and critical categories. They are capable of analyzing the relational aspects connected to the different venues, forms and functions of the performative practices.

Course contents

The scenic space no longer refers to architecture and scenography, if not as inner components of a relational environment involving artists and spectators. Based on this conceptual paradigma, during the course, we will deal with the development of the performing arts practices and theories that, in the second half of the Twentieth century, have reimagined the theatrical space in relation to the place, the territory and the landscape. First, we will look into seminal and diversified experimentations from the Sixties and Seventies (such as Cunningham, Halprin, the Living Theatre, Scabia, Quartucci); then, we will reconsider forms of site-specificity, dramaturgy of the place and landscape-writing in urban and rural contexts, through the words and practices of choreographers and theatre directors (such as Virgilio Sieni, Sista Bramini and Fabrizio Crisafulli).  In the end, a special focus will be dedicated to the connection between individual, collective body and landscape of itinerant, participatory and trans-medial contemporary performances (for instance, by Rimini Protokoll, Cantieri Meticci, Francesca Marconi and DOM), by embracing a multidisciplinary study perspective.

Readings/Bibliography

A book in-between option 1 and 2, and the reader.

1) Rossella Mazzaglia, Dallo spazio ai paesaggi della performance contemporanea, Cue Press, Imola, in corso di stampa.

2) Raimondo Guarino, Teatri luoghi città, Officina dei teatri, 2008, pp. 1-158.

Rossella Mazzaglia, Danzare il paesaggio. Reader, a.a. 2023-2024

Adding to the prior study material, non attending students are requested to watch at least three of the following videos at their choice, and to file one, which will be selected in agreement with the teacher:

A. In prospettiva. Dialoghi sul teatro, a cura di Gerardo Guccini, Claudio Longhi, Rossella Mazzaglia: # 5 (Virgilio Sieni); # (Silvia Gribaudi).

B. Progetto Dall'aula alla città. Webinar a cura di Rossella Mazzaglia e Massimo Carosi, videos:

1. La città "selvatica". Incontro con Fabrizio Favale e Annalisa Metta; 2. Lo spazio urbano. Incontro con Angelo Pedroni e Franco La Cecla; 3. Geografie Urbane. Incontro con Michele Di Stefano e Franco Farinelli; 4. Danza e spazio: dalla città alla performance. Incontro tra Alessandro Carboni e Rossella Mazzaglia.

These videos are all available on YouTube.

Non attending students are students that miss more than 2 classes. For selecting the videos, students are requested to write an email to the teacher at least a month before the exam date, motivating their choice, whereas they are asked to hand in their assignment at least 8 days before the oral exam.

Filing a video consists in the elaboration of a written text of 4-6 pages. This text should be composed of the following parts:

1. segmentation and synthesis (maximum 2 pages, but better if one. For an example, see http://testpo.ormete.net/interview/intervista-a-seragnoli-daniele/);

2. extrapolation of the most relevant quotations with respect to the topic of the scenic space (2 to 3 pages);

3. final comment connecting this case study to the bibliographical material (1 to 2 pages).

Teaching methods

Lectures.

Assessment methods

The assessment is based on an oral exam with open questions. However, non attending students are requested to hand in their home assignment to be admitted to the oral exam.

Students are requested to identify artists and themes and to connect them to their historical, cultural and aesthetic context. They should prove to be able to make connections between the various sources.

Proper language and the ability to critically speak about the texts content will lead to a good/excellent final grade.

Acceptable language and the ability to resume the texts content will lead to a sufficient/fair grade.

Insufficient linguistic proficiency and fragmentary knowledge of the books' content will lead to a failure in passing the exam.

Teaching tools

During the classes, audio-visual sources and primary written, oral and media sources will be used. The e-learning page will also serve as a platform to share material and communications.

Office hours

See the website of Rossella Nancy Maria Mazzaglia