Children can witness the genesis of a design as the artist’s vision takes shape on paper, en route to its final destination on stage. Stage fright is specifically designed for primary school children and their families, but will be fascinating for all audiences with an interest in theatre design. These designs have provided the inspiration for Stage fright: the art of theatre, an exhibition for children. ![]() A small number of examples date from the turn of the nineteenth century however the strength of the collection is material dating from the late 1930s to the early 1980s. A high proportion of the collection consists of works on paper – designs for costumes and sets for the stage. This collection contains almost three thousand items, comprising a diverse array of material. The National Gallery of Australia holds a rich collection of Australian Theatre Arts. Steve Tonkin Senior Curator Cairns Regional Gallery The works in the exhibition evoke nostalgia for the past, while raising the curtain on a new and exciting contemporary stage. Stage fright acknowledges the evolution of Australian costume and set design from the 1940s to the early 1980s, yet also identifies recurrent, perhaps timeless, themes. This idea of transformation is also a metaphor for the way designs are realised as three-dimensional costumes and stage sets, which are in turn given life by dancers, singers, actors and performers. The idea of metamorphosis or transformation underpins the exhibition’s premise: actors changing into characters, figures turning into creatures and puppets coming to life. What is evident from each of the works in the exhibition is that artists employ a variety of approaches and techniques in order to conceptualise the designs for a production. ![]() Some artists approach their subject in an experimental, whimsical and carefree manner, considering it to be a ‘work in progress’ these works often included fragile and ephemeral materials as part of their designs. Exquisitely rendered ‘finished’ drawings are displayed alongside others that have been quickly executed in order to capture the essence of an idea, a posture, a movement or a character. ![]() In Stage fright: the art of theatre children can witness the genesis of a design as the artist’s vision takes shape on paper, en route to its final destination on stage. Visitors will be led on a voyage of discovery through a diversity of images drawn from mythology, fairytales, visionary worlds and fantasy characters intended for the ballet, opera and the theatre stage. The exhibition is aimed at primary school children, but will fascinate anyone interested in theatre design. Stage fright: the art of theatre features costume and set designs by Australian artists from the National Gallery of Australia’s Theatre Arts Collection.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |