Running alongside were a series of professional conferences and meetings, including the FIRT International Theatre Conference, Transteatral international meeting of students of theatre studies, and that of the OISTAT International Organization of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians.
The exhibition itself showcased two unique projects - 'The Heart of PQ - a Cardiac Arrest to the Conventional' and 'Scenofest'. The first was conceived as a living exhibition with 300 artists from all over the world taking the five senses as their inspiration, to showcase theatre design in the context of live theatre events. The latter - Scenofest - was a project of the educational commission of OISTAT and was built around a programme of lectures, seminars, sound and light workshops, two thematic exhibitions and excerpts of live performances, for its accredited students.
The organizers also invited world-famous scenographers and directors to Prague to share their ideas concerning the process of design, and to introduce their works to the event. Declan Donnellan and scenographer Nick Ormerod from the British theatre company Cheek by Jowl were in attendance, as was Christopher Marthaler, artistic director of the Schauspielhaus in Zurich, scenographer Anna Viebrock and Jean-Guy Lecat, long-time collaborator of director Peter Brook.
The main design award of the event - the Golden Triga - went to Great Britain, the second time it has received the prestigious award. The British display was selected from 2D>3D, a major UK exhibition which was held in Sheffield last year (see L&SI December 2002). For a full list of all the award-winners at the event, visit the website below. A review of the Prague Quadrennial will appear in the August issue of Lighting&Sound International.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
