Beata Momot . Nina Kempa . Karolina Jabłonska . + ARKxSITE
2nd prize to Beata Momot, Nina Kempa and Karolina Jabłonska for the ARKxSITE SITE THEATRE competition in Peniche, Portugal.
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Walking towards the ruins, our attention is caught by clearly broken line of remains of the Fortress which cuts of from the sky. In this space, only sky is visible. We found this place very important because ruins focus sight and make natural, empty frame. This observation was a starting point for designing a theater. Our idea was to fill the frame with the most significant part of the theatre, which is a play. To maintain that frame, we have decided to design the stage, which will be the same height as the ground with the walls. Thanks to that, we can not see the whole stage, only a part of it. Through that space we can notice actors in movement. It makes atmosphere of mystery, which is very characteristic for a theater. This encourages people for going this way. Furthermore this impression intensifies contrast between eternal walls and variable motion in void between them.
We wanted to extend this feeling by creating a small journey through that space. By doing this we will achieve some kind of catharsis which is a part of theater since the dawn of time. Beautiful variety of landscape can often distract. We lowered the passage like water hollows rocks to maintain full focus on the mystery aura. As we walk on a flat path we gradually descend into rocks seeing only the frame of ruins and the stage wit blue sky as a background. The walls determine the boundary between everyday life and mystery of art. It is also reflected in the pathway which starts to go up and attracts us to see the scene. As we wander through the way we constantly see the sky.
The theater is opened to the ocean because this view can help to contemplate the play. The only thing that counts is what is happening on the stage. The theatre is designed not to stick out over the ruins. It is invisible from the outside.
In this project we exploit existing elements of nature which are reacting to each other, forming the whole. First is the air element – sky. The path symbolizes the second element – the earth. The third one is water as the ocean. All these elements are visible at first glance. The last, fourth one can be discovered by solving the mystery. This element is fire coming from the art.
