Dogma

Appia

This project is an homage to the Swiss scenographer Adolphe Appia, whose work is considered among the most influential contributions to twentieth-century theatre. By creating an innovative type of stage defined as “Espaces rythmiques”, the platform became an abstract form, an ostensible artificial ground devoid of any symbolism and institutional control. Ready to enable unforeseen ways to live and move together in a collective experience. As in the rhythmic spaces of Appia, the platform should be perceived a landscape composed of steps, stairs, and a low wall—an architecture reduced to its simplest volumetric expression. In this way the performance becomes part of the horizontal articulation of the platform, that blurs both the distinction between audience, performers and spectators. Based on a single modular element, the construction of the platform is a tribute to Appia as much as it is a reference to the Dionysian chorus in the Greek tragedy – a manipulation of the ground, with its composition of wide, flat surfaces and steps – gives the theatre a sort of monu- mentality and lengthens the landscape of the platform into the cityscape. The modularity of the platform, allows it to be adjusted according to the nature of the performance – articulating space for both performer and audience. The 80 platform elements are simple Europallets to which pre-cut plywood boards are attached. All elements are painted in red to underline the uniformity of the composition.