Traves Event
SVOBODA VISITS HALIFAX (AGAIN)
An exhibit of theatre scenographer Josef Svoboda maquettes, models and photographs.
Opening reception Sept. 12 | 7:30pm
Exhibit runs Sept. 12 - Oct. 20
Catherine Steele Atrium of the Fountain School of Performing Arts
1385 Seymour St. Halifax N.S.
When scenographer Josef Svoboda visited Halifax 50 years ago, he left a treasure trove of models, crates, and photographs…come and see them (again)!
Scenography encompasses all aspects of design in a performance. The Fountain School owns 6 original Joseph Svoboda models and dozens of framed images of various productions he designed between 1958 and 1973. These were exhibited in the Â鶹´«Ã½ Arts Centre in 1974, with Svoboda in attendance.
50 years later, his work will come to life again in Halifax but this time just down the block at our beautiful new Fountain School of Performing Arts building’s Cathrine Steele Atrium.
In a unique partnership, Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s School of Architecture faculty Peter Henry will curate the exhibit and design new exhibit displays. ÌýThey’ll be built by senior architecture students in the Dal Arts Centre workshop and supervised by Fountain School faculty Torin Buzin.
The evening will also feature live performances by Fountain School faculty and students, inspired by well-known operas Svoboda designed for.
Arguably Josef Svoboda was the most influential scenographer of his time. Working from behind the Iron Curtain, he designed and produced numerous plays, ballets, and operas whose innovative use of space and technology has been highly influential to designers, even today.
His lighting innovations led to a shift in the perception of light on stage internationally. Many of the productions he collaborated on transcended traditional theatre and foreshadowed contemporary multimedia artistic forms.
Without the collaboration and encouragement of the Fountain School’s Dr. Jure Gantar and Torin Buzek and Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s School of Architecture’s James Forren and Emanuel Jannasch, this exhibition/celebration would not be possible.
It represents the work of Adjunct Professor/Architect Peter Henry, Theatre Arts Instructor Torin Buzek, and Dal Architecture FreeLAB students: Sophie Fitzgerald, Zamani Millar, Thomas Emerson, Ryan Torosantucci, Jamie Spidell, Camila Lima, Haley White and James Smith.
We would also like to acknowledge the invaluable role Professor Emeritus Peter Perina has played in preserving Svoboda’s models and photos which make this exhibit possible. Professor Perina arranged Svoboda’s visit in 1974 and was instrumental in taking care of the collection for many decades.
This exciting collaboration is made possible by the Traves Performance Excellence Fund.
Ìý