Theatre Design & Technology - Spring 2018 - Public - 26

WSD17
Fang-Yu Sung |

Space Starting

This production explores space. The
Banach Space Theory indicates that
space is made from continued Vectorvalued Functions. In a space, a person
is like a very tiny spot; two spots make
a line; three make a surface, turned into
space. The stage design included a pure
120 degree angle to condense the space
of the theatre, but also included large
numbers of lines to break up the space
and destabilize the scene. The show reinforces that people, like spots and lines,
exist in close and irreplaceable relationships.
Fang-Yu Sung earned a BFA in drama
direction from Taiwan National University
of Arts and later entered Taipei National
University of Arts to study theatrical
design, earning an MFA degree in lighting design. Recently, Sung's work has
expanded into visual design and digital
performance projects and has been seen

David Shearing |

Body Expression Dance Theatre,
courtesy of Fang-Yu Sung.

at Festival d'Avignon, Edinburgh International Festival, World Dance Alliance 2014,
and Digital Performance Festival. Sung is
the founder of FunDesign Studio, which
specializes in concert, theater, event,

The Weather Machine

Photo courtesy of David Shearing.

The Weather Machine was an immersive,
multimedia performance that placed the
audience at the heart of the action. The
space was designed as a landscape constructed of wooden pallets and real grass.
In the center of the space and above the
audience's heads were 12 hanging cymbals
that were activated at specific moments of
the performance with water falling on them

26 |

THEATRE DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

and public spatial design. Recent work
includes the Club Med Guilin Permanent
Exhibition projection mapping design in a
natural stalactite cave.

SPRING 2018

like rain. The audience, at times wearing
headphones, were guided through a series
of atmospheric conditions: light, cloud,
wind, and rain.
Designed for 20 audience members
at a time, the piece operated without the
physical presence of actors. The space was
animated through light, video projection,
voice-over and a multichannel sound de-

sign. James Bulley's composition was heard
through 16-speakers in and surrounding
the landscape. The text, written by Kamal
Kaan, was heard throughout the 50-minute
experience with fragments printed in a
Field Guide given to each participant.
David Shearing is an artist and production designer whose practice operates as
a hybrid between fine art, installation, and
performance. His work challenges audiences to reconsider their relationships to
each other and their environment.
Recent work includes The Dock (2016)
at The Lowry, a temporary performance
space and bar in the theatre's scene dock.
In 2014 he was awarded a competitive Sky
Academy Arts Scholarship to develop The
Weather Machine with the West Yorkshire
Playhouse that culminated in a short Sky
Arts documentary with Melvyn Bragg. He
earned an MA in performance design and
practice (Central Saint Martins, University
of the Arts London) and a PhD in audience
immersion and the experience of scenography (University of Leeds). Visit www.davidshearing.com.

http://www.davidshearing.com http://www.davidshearing.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Spring 2018 - Public