Studio 3 – Theatre Studio

This week we headed out of Artlink to a theatre studio so we could explore different lighting techniques in a darkened space.  We headed to the University of Leeds where the School of Performance and Cultural Industries kindly allowed us to use one of their studio spaces for the day.

The space was prepared in advance and was set out with different areas, each with a different focus and exploration of light. After a short introduction we began to test the different lighting scenarios - it can be a daunting experience exploring technology and creatively making without a firm idea of destination, but the group got stuck in and began to explore how they could bring their mobiles to life.

These explorations are expanding on ideas from Nike Savvas into a more theatrical form; the aim here was test how projection, shadow and colour could enhance the groups art pieces, to make them flicker, move and to 'paint into space'.  

Howard kept pushing the different colour combinations using an OHP projector and some theatrical gels - we created some lovely footage as he shook the gels under the light creating a water like, glistening effect. 

We also explored a live video feed being projected behind the hung mobiles; the aim here was to create feedback loops in an attempt to create a digital moiré. It was tricky as the colours kept saturating green, but Karan and Elaine persevered and we managed to capture some lovely complex layering of the patterns on film.

The third area of exploration was to create silhouettes; here we could change the light level, intensity and colour - we also explored torchlight to add movement.  Like Savvas, we faked it a little by using a household fan; this worked particularly well on Carrie's mobile as the paper shards appeared to dance.

I have complied some of the footage of each section and these have been edited into a short film.

We hope you enjoy it!

David