The Theatre of Robert Wilson (Directors in Perspective)
by Arthur Holmberg
(Click here)
Book Summary Information
Author: Arthur HolmbergEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2005-09-01
ISBN: 0521367328
Number of pages: 252
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Book Reviews of The Theatre of Robert Wilson (Directors in Perspective)
Book Review: The Most Creative Theater Artist of our Time
Summary: 5 Stars
Robert Wilson is a genius. Simple statement. Simple fact. He has been altering the way we view language, staging, lighting, color, set design, dance, and presentation/direction since 1965 and his current projects dealing with the reinterpretation of opera are even more bold and thrilling than his earlier experimental works. He is getting better and more inventive and is a formidable force in the theater both here in the US and around the world.
Arthur Holmberg's very fine book THE THEATRE OF ROBERT WILSON was published in 1996 as part of the DIRECTORS IN PERSPECTIVE series by Cambridge University Press. While the hardback version is not readily available, the paperback version is still out there in the rarebook stores. If you find one, buy it. Holmberg is not only a fine scholar, he also comes to his subject by means of extended interviews with Wilson. In this book he chronicles the life of Robert Wilson and his involvement in the theater up to the date of this publication. He devotes a large volume of the information to an essay on 'Contextualizing Wilson: from semiotics to semantics' and while the title breathes artspeak, the content is immensely readable and valuable in providing insights as to how Wilson arrived at his most creative view of 'theater'. Holmberg then wisely presents an in depth discussion with photographs of Wilson's major work at that time, 'the CIVILwarS' - a multimedia massive project that remains one of the most inventive works of theater in the repertoire.
The now signature use of symbols for sets, Noh influenced movement, timeless black and white stark costume design, and immensely creative lighting effects are discussed but only to the point of the time of the book. Wilson's latest creations for the opera stage include the wholly successful spiritual experience of his 'Parsifal' now on the stage of the Los Angeles Opera and the equally stunning reductive 'Madama Butterfly' which follows next year. But also his designs and productions of Wagner's Ring cycle will be unveiled next year and promise to once again make that great work yet more meaningful to the audience.
Sadly this book is outdated and the quality of the multiple photographs of Wilson's sets, costumes, and performances are little better than snapshot quality. But the information is fascinating and important. Surely there will begin appearing many books about the creative mind and works of Robert Wilson (perhaps Holmberg will re-do this one and update it) and hopefully those books will include color reproductions of the extraordinary stage pictures from his operas. But until those books come along, this book is well worth searching for. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, December 05
Summary of The Theatre of Robert Wilson (Directors in Perspective)
Robert Wilson, the leading American avant-garde theater director, revolutionized the stage by making visual communication more important than words. His productions cut across the boundaries that traditionally have defined theater, dance, opera and the visual arts to create a total work of art. This book, the first comprehensive study of Wilson, traces the evolution of the director's astonishing career. It explains how Wilson renovated the stage and describes in detail major productions such as: DEAFman Glance, Einstein on the Beach, and CIVIL WarS.Robert Wilson's insane, brilliant 14-hour avant-garde theatre experiments in the 1970s often were punishments even to the brave audiences willing to go along with him. But they were packed with theatre ideas and experiments that have been appropriated and digested by a generation and a half of more conventional directors. Here, for the first time on this scale, Wilson's body of work is treated as a whole, and its innovations labeled and catalogued for the ages. Extremely useful both for those who are seeking entry to Wilson's oeuvre, and for Wilson veterans longing for a better understanding of what exactly it was they saw in Einstein on the Beach, CIVIL WarS, and other projects.
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