BARRIERS
AND PERFORMING ARTS
.
The best and perhaps the most imaginative use of non physical or indicative
barrier systems occurs in the performing arts. Here a performer
wishing to express different experiences on a stage or arena has limited time,
space and means. As a result the performance space or the stage is extended
beyond its physical limits by exploiting both, the real barriers and
indicative barriers. Since it is not possible to accommodate the entire set
of physical barriers, only the acute or important sections are
highlighted through frames, outlines, edges, cleavages, thresholds.
The sets, stage property, curtains, side wings, lighting, audio-video effects,
etc. are used for creating a variety of spaces (‘here’ and ‘beyond’). A
cleavage in side wings or a gap between two stage properties could signify a
door, window, opening, corridor or a passage. The stage thus becomes a
place where a multiplicity of spaces ‘Here’ and a series of connected
spaces supposed to exist ‘Beyond’ occur. Whatever is lacking in such
definitions is further reinforced by the actors. The acting makes the audience
feel as if the actor is actually dealing with or reacting to a real barrier. Mime
acts are such intense explorations with unreal barriers.
Stage set barriers are experienced by the audience from a limited and fixed
angle view. Sage Bharat Muni in his treatise on Natya Shastra
(Canons on Dramatics) says actor turning back to the audience is out of the
scene or dead. Even in Roman Amphi theaters the actors on the front section are
active and by retreating to the backside become inactive
Stage barriers serve a very limited purpose
effective for a short period, and last only for a scene, dialogue or the
expression. However, real life barriers are rather permanent or at least are
longer lasting, seen or experienced dynamically, that is from all sides.
- Keywords: non-physical or indicative barrier system / performing arts / real barriers / indicative barriers / acute or important sections / stage / here / beyond / mime acts / sage Bharat Muni / Natya Shastra / stage barriers / real life barriers
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