Words from my boss
Essentialism: You’ve got style!
As an artist I am often asked “what is your style?”
That always has been a difficult question to answer. What does STYLE mean and why would I want to confine myself to it? I’ve always felt a show should be designed specifically for a time, place, story and audience. I always cringe when I look in a program and see the same set was used 30 years ago and/ or on a completely differently titled show… I mean really other then for budgetary reason why would you want the same environment for two very different operas?
In any case, when meeting new people the question comes inevitably. What am I; architectural, hyper-realistic, monochromatic, minimalist… I’ve never felt any of the STYLES out there corresponded to my specific aesthetic until this February. I was having a wonderful coffee conversation with a director friend and John, post show. He was asking us to help him hash out how he could possibly explain to his future collaborators what his style/ vision is. He kept using MINIMALISM. Minimalist African Art.
This lead me to explore a different word. One that corresponded to my vision. It has never been an artistic movement as of yet. I am actually borrowing it from Philosophy: ESSENTIALISM
Wikipedia describes it as:
In philosophy, essentialism is the view that, for any specific kind of entity, there is a set of characteristics or properties all of which any entity of that kind must possess. Therefore all things can be precisely defined or described.
That seems to perfectly represent my aesthetic philosophy: what does the show essentially need in response to its artistic team, subject matter, context, location, and audience. Sometimes we really need that rococo feel in the space and sometimes we we really need that one perfectly chosen chair!
I am still working out the actual description of the word specifically for the performing arts but I am very excited to define it.
I have been discussing this with many collaborators since February and although some look at me like I am crazy to want to redefine the minimalist genre they understand that as a designer it does not exactly convey what they are trying to express onstage. With EPBB I have been able to explore and refine that philosophy in more depth. I do not claim to have its exact grasp but I am definitely aiming to it.
Now when someone now asks me “what is your style?” I respond essentialism- way to make a first impression!
