This book explores the role of light in performance, featuring case studies from various lighting practices and theoretical and analytical approaches. It covers three core themes: experience, creativity, and meaning, and includes contributions from award-winning lighting designers, researchers, and artists.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 23 February 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This comprehensive collection of critical responses to performance lighting offers a unique perspective on the role and potential of light in performance and related creative practices. With contributions from award-winning lighting designers, researchers, and artists, the volume showcases recent examples of work and provides theoretical and analytical approaches to practice. The three core themes explored in the book are Experience, Creativity, and Meaning, which provide a framework for thinking through the role of light in performance. The case studies are drawn from a wide-array of lighting practice, including Jennifer Tipton on the role of light as a structural language in performance, Jesper Kongshaug on the lighting of Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens, Lucy Carter on her work in installation and dance, Psyche Chui on the productive fusion of Western lighting techniques with contemporary Chinese opera, Katharine Williams on the role of light in feminist political theatre made by RashDash, and Paule Constable on storytelling with light in a range of productions, including War Horse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, and Angels in America.

Performance Lighting: Critical Responses

This groundbreaking volume brings together a diverse range of critical perspectives on performance lighting, offering a comprehensive exploration of the role and potential of light in performance and related creative practices. With contributions from award-winning lighting designers, researchers, and artists, the book showcases recent examples of work and provides theoretical and analytical approaches to practice. The three core themes explored in the book are Experience, Creativity, and Meaning, which provide a framework for thinking through the role of light in performance. The case studies are drawn from a wide-array of lighting practice, including Jennifer Tipton on the role of light as a structural language in performance, Jesper Kongshaug on the lighting of Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens, Lucy Carter on her work in installation and dance, Psyche Chui on the productive fusion of Western lighting techniques with contemporary Chinese opera, Katharine Williams on the role of light in feminist political theatre made by RashDash, and Paule Constable on storytelling with light in a range of productions, including War Horse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, and Angels in America.

Experience

The first core theme, Experience, considers both the audience's experience of light and the ways in which light influences the experience of performers. It explores the ways in which light can create a sense of atmosphere, mood, and emotion, and how it can be used to enhance the narrative and dramatic structure of a performance. The case studies in this section include Jennifer Tipton's work on the role of light as a structural language in performance, Jesper Kongshaug's lighting of Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens, and Lucy Carter's work in installation and dance. Tipton's work highlights the use of light to create a sense of spatial depth and movement, while Kongshaug's lighting of Tivoli Gardens creates a magical and enchanting atmosphere. Carter's work in installation and dance explores the use of light to create a sense of physicality and movement, and how it can be used to connect with the audience.

Creativity

The second core theme, Creativity, examines both the creative, performative capacities of light in performance, as well as the creative practices of lighting designers. It explores the ways in which light can be used to create visual effects, enhance the visual narrative, and create a sense of spectacle. The case studies in this section include Jesper Kongshaug's lighting of Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens, Lucy Carter's work in installation and dance, Psyche Chui's work on the productive fusion of Western lighting techniques with contemporary Chinese opera, and Katharine Williams' work on the role of light in feminist political theatre made by RashDash. Kongshaug's lighting of Tivoli Gardens creates a magical and enchanting atmosphere, while Carter's work in installation and dance explores the use of light to create a sense of physicality and movement. Chui's work on the productive fusion of Western lighting techniques with contemporary Chinese opera creates a unique and immersive experience, while Williams' work on the role of light in feminist political theatre makes a powerful statement about the power of light to shape and influence society.

Meaning

The third core theme, Meaning, offers an expanded view of performance aesthetics by examining the capacity of light to influence and generate meaning within performance. It explores the ways in which light can be used to convey meaning, create a sense of identity, and evoke emotional responses. The case studies in this section include Katharine Williams' work on the role of light in feminist political theatre made by RashDash, Paule Constable's storytelling with light in a range of productions, including War Horse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, and Angels in America, and Psyche Chui's work on the productive fusion of Western lighting techniques with contemporary Chinese opera. Williams' work on the role of light in feminist political theatre makes a powerful statement about the power of light to shape and influence society, while Constable's storytelling with light in a range of productions creates a sense of wonder and enchantment. Chui's work on the productive fusion of Western lighting techniques with contemporary Chinese opera creates a unique and immersive experience that combines the best of both worlds.

Case Studies

The case studies in this volume are drawn from a wide-array of lighting practice, including Jennifer Tipton on the role of light as a structural language in performance, Jesper Kongshaug on the lighting of Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens, Lucy Carter on her work in installation and dance, Psyche Chui on the productive fusion of Western lighting techniques with contemporary Chinese opera, Katharine Williams on the role of light in feminist political theatre made by RashDash, and Paule Constable on storytelling with light in a range of productions, including War Horse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, and Angels in America. These case studies provide a rich and diverse perspective on the role of light in performance and related creative practices, and offer valuable insights into the creative processes and techniques used by lighting designers and artists. The case studies are accompanied by theoretical and analytical approaches to practice, which provide a framework for understanding the role of light in performance. The book also includes a comprehensive bibliography and index, making it a valuable resource for researchers, students, and practitioners in the field of performance lighting.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this comprehensive collection of critical responses to performance lighting offers a unique perspective on the role and potential of light in performance and related creative practices. With contributions from award-winning lighting designers, researchers, and artists, the volume showcases recent examples of work and provides theoretical and analytical approaches to practice. The three core themes explored in the book are Experience, Creativity, and Meaning, which provide a framework for thinking through the role of light in performance. The case studies are drawn from a wide-array of lighting practice, and offer valuable insights into the creative processes and techniques used by lighting designers and artists. The book also includes a comprehensive bibliography and index, making it a valuable resource for researchers, students, and practitioners in the field of performance lighting.

Weight: 438g
Dimension: 233 x 157 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350195165