Performance Laboratory II AGAINST LIPS: part I Project Objectives

The centre objective of this performance laboratory is to clarify the function of each key performance components. Under the framework of this laboratory, all performance components are split into 4 categories, namely: sound, light, stage and performer. However, the function of each single performance component is not the final goal of this laboratory. The isolated researches will contribute to a better and deeper understanding of each performance components, hence pave the road to combine all these components in a way that makes them in a concisely harmony. Only with a harmonic blending of all the key performance components, it is able to effectively transform a certain sensation to the audience. Therefore, a proper approach of combining sound, light, stage and performer is the final objective of this performance laboratory.

The idea of this laboratory is influenced by the conception of “Whole Theatre” from Artaud’s texts. Whole Theatre concept promotes a comprehensive and balanced usage of different performance components in a theatre piece. Also, various works from different artists where different performance components are innovatively used give inspiration to the laboratory. It is highly interesting to discover how a conventional performance is created and how the different performance components are balanced and integrated in it. Through this performance laboratory, I want to further develop and shape my individual understanding of Whole Theatre, aiming at a further exploration on how linguistics affects a performance.

Some key questions will be repeatedly asked throughout this performance laboratory: Which components are essential for a performance, and which are merely a method to engage the spectators? How much information could the audience absorb in a performance or, how can we deliver our message to the audience, with a minimum usage of different types of performance component? How is the audiences’ real sensation about the performance? How is the audiences’ real perception of each performance components that was used? Finally, how can man combine the different performance components to maximally deliver a certain sensation to the audience?