Throughout this course, one of the first things you will be asked to do is to create an abstract visual response. This may be a new concept for you, or you may be familiar with is from Intro. to Design, but it can be a wonderful way to get at the heart of your ideas and feelings about a script. You may leave it behind as your design process develops, or you may find that your first artistic impressions stay with you throughout the development of the design.

The abstract visual response is a non-theatrical, visual, artistic expression of your reaction to or understanding of the text. It should not be too “intellectual”, but should tap into those abstract emotional connections to the script that can best be expressed with color, line, rhythm, shape, texture, and composition.

The response can be a painting, a collage, a sculpture, or some sort of assemblage of parts. It is not an illustration, but an artistic reaction. In lighting Design class, I prefer the project to be a three-dimensional as possible, and to use light in some way. As you get more comfortable with these, try to make them have some action or interaction, as well. I have had students invent board games, fill rooms with torn paper, create boxes filled with light and reflections which one must peer into . . . and any number of other kinds of visual expression. The key is to tap into what you think and feel about the text and then translate those feelings into a visual medium that can be shared.

You will probably want to make your abstract response in such a way that you can carry it around. However, if you have larger aspirations, it might be possible to set something up in the studio--but you need to check in with me (and Shannon if it involves lights) beforehand and clean up when you are done.

Pretty much anything goes, BUT there are two fundamental rules: 1. No fire, chemicals or noxious fumes, and 2. no gold spray painted macaroni. (Well, OK, if you have a REALLY good reason for using the macaroni . . .).

THETR 359:

Abstract Visual Response