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

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student: - has a complete picture of the aesthetic theories and technological strategies of integration that are in place on the performing stage, as well as of the relationship with sound experimentation. Starting from the analysis of representative works and from the discussion of the main national and international critical-theoretical positions, the student: - acquires the methodological tools to place the contemporary practices in a perspective of continuity and break-up with the historical framework of the discipline in question. In terms of competences, the knowledge acquired provides the student with: - analytical tools to be applied to the field of training, essay, critics-journalism; - analytical tools to be applied to the field of programming, design and care of specific events of entertainment - theatrical and choreographic - related to the use of technologies and of the new media.

Course contents

From performance to pop

In the first part, the course intends to propose the student with a training course aimed at investigating the most relevant aspects related to the concepts of "media" and "performance" in the contemporary era, from the twentieth century to present, with particular reference to the Performance Studies tradition. In the second part, which presents a monographic imprint, the attempt is to take into account, through a multidisciplinary approach, the cross-media aspect of performance from two different perspectives: on the one hand, in its connections with the universe of pop music (with examples from the artistic production of certain "icons" of the pop-rock panorama, from the 50's to present) in terms of how the latter intercepted, since its origins, its corporeality and theatrical aspect; on the other hand, in the way in which the contemporary Italian scene (dance, theatre and performance) has triggered a pop sensitivity in its drama strategies.

Readings/Bibliography

Students attending (70% of those present during the course)

1. Richard Schechner, Magnitudini della performance, a cura di Fabrizio Deriu, Roma, Bulzoni, 1999.

2. Fabio Acca (a cura di), Performing Pop, numero monografico di «Prove di Drammaturgia», 1/2011. Da associare all’articolo di Fabio Acca, Shakespeare a pezzi. Schegge shakespeariane e performance pop, in «Prove di Drammaturgia», n. 1-2, dicembre 2016, pp. 44-49.

3. Lucio Spaziante, Icone pop. Identità e apparenze tra semiotica e musica, Milano, Bruno Mondadori, 2016.

4. Notes of the lesson and optional readings recommended by the professor.

Non-attending students will substitute point 5 with a text selected among the following:

- Richard Schechner, Il nuovo terzo mondo dei performance studies, a cura di Aleksandra Jovćević, Roma, Bulzoni, 2017.

- Philip Auslander, Performing Glam Rock. Gender and theatricality in popular music, University of Michigan Press, 2006.

- Matteo Antonaci, Sergio Lo Gatto (a cura di), Iperscene 3, Spoleto, Editoria & Spettacolo, 2017.

The course is divided into a Module corresponding to 30 hours of teaching and 6 course credits (CFU).

Starts: 20th of March 2019 - Ends: 18th of April 2019.

Hours: 5-7 pm

Teaching methods

Lectures and seminars. Other additional bibliographical references (optional), in both Italian and foreign languages, will be provided and discussed during the development of the course in order to contextualise the issues raised in a wider historical, methodological and analytical framework. Students will also be invited to participate to some events in the theatres of the city of Bologna, with the opportunity to meet artists and professionals related to the subjects of the course.

Assessment methods

Student assessment will take place according to the ways, times and guidelines set by the course of study and will be based on oral interviews. In case of special needs - to be submitted to the teacher in advance - the student may also agree to a written essay on subjects related to the course. The elaborate must be of about 10 folders (minimum 20,000 - max 30,000 marks), to be delivered one week before the call in which the exam is to be taken.

Teaching tools

Video projections and meetings with artists and industry professionals.

Office hours

See the website of Fabio Acca