this project is a scenographic proposition for a theatre play from Claudine galea. Je reviens de loin is a collection of thoughts, fragments, memories narrated by the main character: Camille. she describes and sometimes interacts with her family members, who are trying to move on from her departure. I chose to use public urban space as a stage for the play. spectators move with Camille's throughs and walk with her through the grieving process.
the illot 13, located in the centre Geneva, can be defined as an urban palimpsest. the different housing block which emerged with time produce juxtaposition of architecture styles, materials, and colours. I chose the richness and diversity of space and its programms (playgrounds, urban gardens, housing, small shops and cafes), which give to the space intimate but also universal qualities, that every spectator can relate to their home.
control room auditorium stage backstage
the outer street, buildings and apartments serve as backstage and control rooms. the actors appear and disappear sporadically on the different balconies, which serve as stages that light up and go out for each fragment. the inner courtyard becomes an auditiorium, that can transform into a stage when Camille speaks.
translucent material are used as vail in between the spectators and actors to mirror the text, which can be foggy, repetitive and illogical, like a dream. the distance and the amount of materials between the spectators and Camille's family dissipate during the play, until they enter the same space for the final interlude. at the climax, the spectators get up on stage, defined by an elevated platform. actors interact with spectators, while fragments of the story seem to finally make sense.
