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(2014) Modern architecture in theatre, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan.

The festival of seeing others and being seen

theatre of space

Gray Read

pp. 43-61

Autant and Lara built a Theatre of Space for the 1937 International Exposition in Paris, which modeled the experience of a modern public square. In performances, five simultaneous scenes both surrounded and were surrounded by the audience to summon the multiple elements of a festival. Architectural techniques of layered space, silhouette, and false perspective heightened actors' movements visually, while cinematic techniques of montage and panorama were transposed into live theatre. Similar strategies appear in the design of modern public spaces, such as Perret's proposal for Porte Maillot and several buildings designed for the 1937 exposition such as the Palais de Tokyo and Place de Chaillot. Popular festivals in public space were community events that Autant and Perret would consider essential to modern, collective urban life.

Publication details

DOI: 10.1057/9781137368683_3

Full citation:

Read, G. (2014). The festival of seeing others and being seen: theatre of space, in Modern architecture in theatre, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 43-61.

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