Kyriaki Nasioula_Architectural Association_London 2015
Engaging the audience in Spatial Choreography
the attractor method
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the interrelation between the performance (or the performative elements1) and the audience/attendants, during a performative action. Specifically, it investigates whether the spatial arrangement of the performance space can possibly affect the interplay between the attendant and the performance. The research begins by briefly pointing out the main historical references, which demonstrate the changes in the spatial arrangement of the performance in time. According to this arrangement, which is defined by the artist, the audience can be involved in the performance in different degrees. Therefore, this essay begins by researching and defining the different audience types: spectator, observer and participant, according to the level of their involvement in a performance. The hypothesis continues by questioning whether the differences in the dimensionality of the spectacle, according to the viewer’s sight, can vary and lead the audience to different states of attending, during the performance. These different states are to be linked to the aforesaid different audience types and define the quantity and quality of the people’s interpretation. In order to prove these correlations, I use as case studies the Architectural Association Interprofessional Studio’s 2015-’16 events. Then, I continue by indexing the findings in a chart, which the choreographer or the spatial designer can refer to, during the production of both movement and space. Finally, various ways of reading and using the chart are introduced. This research is presented in a form of a handbook that can be used by the spatial artist during decision-making. It offers a methodology that helps reinforce ones concrete artistic intentions, regarding the choreographing of the audience. 1 When referring to interaction, I would like to use the term “performative elements”, in order to include all the components of a performance such as performers, objects, sound, video e.t.c., and not only the performers, who are the most likely to interact with the audience.