In terms of performance ideas and concepts, I have been through many changes in order to find the desired performance and effect. For example, I originally imagined the design of my piece with several revolving mirrors that could be turned and moved to always be angled at different segments of the audience. This notion corresponded with my performance, as it showed the distinct changes and developments within my own minor insecurities. Thus creating a sense of myself [all be it a more extenuated] and therefore allowing the audience to connect with the real and/or authentic me.
Although my own performance ideals haven’t changed too radically from the originals, there are now a set of finer and more detailed exploits that are allowed to become fluid and influential throughout my performance. For, mirrors are still incorporated within the piece and these aspects still reflect the fragmented insecurities within my day to day life. Nevertheless, the broken mirrors are situated within an angled frame, this allows the to create a structure around me and create a boundary which will resonate the plethora of minor yet differential set of insecurities which arise throughout my life; be it a day, a week or a year.
Another design aspect I have set a side for the time being, is the notion of having a large mirror or reflective surface being situated above the audience at an angle. This would create a sense of surrounding boundaries and focal points, as the audience would be able to see themselves within the mirrored structure on stage, as well as above and behind them; due to the position of the mirror and/or reflective surface angled behind them.
Moving forward, I had originally wanted to create a performance that was centred around projections and new technologies. However, after some deliberation I decided that such type of performances needs to be absolutely perfect and seamless in order to create a good sense of audience interaction and understanding. Thus I decided not to pursue this idea, however I have tried to ingratiate some form of projection technology into my performance, in relation to an individual named Heinz-eberhard Boden.
I recently came across an installation of his that projected faces of certain people onto large face-like objects. This creation of such artwork corresponded with my own ideas of projecting certain people in my life onto a mannequin face of head-like object.
This is an example of Boden’s work:
Figure 1: Boden, 2012)
This particular installation was named ‘Talking Heads’ and involved videos of people being projected onto large objects. This has helped me develop my strategies in order to progress with an idea I thought useless or unrelated to my piece or overall ethos of my performance.
I suppose what I am trying to conclude with is that, an idea or sequence may seem useless or irrelevant throughout the creation process and you may try and toy with different ideas that all formulate from one central notion. However, if an idea isn’t developing and moving forward with a natural cause and flow, then end that process and move forward to another way of thinking or creating. This will then allow new areas for development and inspirations which may in turn eventually allow room to ingratiate the idea you had some time ago. Although, do not take my word as law, as it may be the case that some ideas are just not worthy of development and need to be disposed of in order to move forward with the journey of your piece.
As an end note to this post I would like to end on a somewhat serious note. That is the fact that the creation process is harsh and unrelenting, it may seem cruel to rule certain ideas as useless and irrelevant. However, if you truly want your performance to become its best, then it needs to flourish under the creation of new and relevant ideas, that have a beginning, middle and end to them. At its heart, this creation is your own and you should always remember that you are creating a very personal and very relevant piece of theatre that you need to be proud to call your own.
Work Cited:
Boden, H.E. (2012) Talking Heads. availabe from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/he-boden/8142512161 [Accessed 08 April 2016]