WEEK TEN!!! Wrap Up & Such

WOW!! This year has flown by, and I would have never guessed that I'd be taking a lighting design class to end my freshman year!

Nature Walk:
The nature walk was beautiful. I love being outdoors, and although I like to rant about walking up steps/ walking long distances, it was the perfect way to end our final week of instruction. My favorite part about the nature walk was being able to watch the sun slowly set. I had never gone on a walk around sunset time to pay close attention to the changes in scenery/color that occur as the sun drops.  It was the perfect opportunity for me to see the warmth of the sun in various lights or shades, and was able to discern the differences between the sun at 60 degrees, and the sun right at its setting point. The nature walk was also the perfect opportunity to take note of fabulous textures, where shadows are just as effective and just as important in design as exposure and light. I loved when we waked through the shades of the trees on the lawn because this is where I truly noticed texture (from leaves etc). However, throughout the walk, it was fascinating to see that texture is in everything, and is truly a part of the "perfect picture" that we so often work to obtain. Lonnie repeatedly touched on how we could never create the nature walk setting in its' entirety onstage and I believe that this has to do with how a nature walk is the purest form of revelation from honesty.. which leads into my next point:

The Dramatic Imagination:
One of the most important concepts that I have learned from this book and hope to carry with me throughout my life is the importance of honesty in art. In honest design, there is a sense of deeper meaning, as if the designer has come in touch with humanity in it's purest form. I believe that this honesty reveals and brings an audience straight to the message/purpose of a piece. I think about honesty in dance from both the choreographic and performing standpoint. As a choreographer, one might tend to think commercially, what will bring in the crowd, be the most popular and will transcend time.  However, the best work (as the book reads) has to be true to what motivates/inspires/speaks to them, and I think that staying true to this will bring the audience to the message in the best format (even if it isn't direct), where there are no distractions or loss of concentration. In performance, one has to leave their ego, worries, fears, everyday stresses (etc) at the door  to evoke feelings and bring forth a message that the audience can reflect upon. I think with lighting, a designer and his/her minions (crew) are both performers and choreographers. I think that in lighting, one has to truly focus on aspects from both perspectives to work for the good of the piece and the overall message. I respect set designers (lights, sound, set, costumes props etc) in a way that I hadn't before taking this class and I feel that designers (as all artists are) are incredibly in touch with their humanity and bring their experiences to the stage in a way that inspires.