New Research on Scenography and Activism
Astrid von Rosen, critical heritage researcher, CCHS, has recently published the chapter "Frying Bacon and Eggs: Scenographic Approaches to Alda Terracciano's Activist and Experimental Performances" in the anthology Women Experimenting in Theatre: Early Modern to Contemporary.
The book brings together researchers with various historical and contemporary expertise. It highlights female playwrights and practitioners who are both experimental and innovative.
In her chapter, von Rosen uses scenographic theory to analyze the work of British theatre researcher, activist, and artist Alda Terracciano, focusing on her experimental, feminist, and decolonial work. Central to this is Terracciano's provocative intervention "Bacon and Eggs" from the conference Challenge the Past—Diversify the Future in 2015, where Terracciano used multisensory tools such as the smell of fried bacon and eggs, video, and bodily action to highlight colonial issues. Von Rosen also explores Terracciano's project Mapping Memory Routes of Moroccan Communities (2016–2017), including the performative event and installation work Zelige Door on Golborne Road, which was launched at Rich Mix in London in 2017 and then toured internationally.
The chapter emphasizes scenographic theory as a way to make visible and accessible the performative forces in today's experimental, activist, and feminist art and theatre. It argues that scenographic methods can create meaningful interaction between art and society in a world that needs hope, care, and constructive change.
About the book Women experimenting in theatre: early modern to contemporary, see SpringerLink.
Astrid von Rosen is full professor of art history and visual studies, scenography studies, at the Department of Cultural Sciences, University of Gothenburg and the director of the Centre for Critical Heritage Studies at the University of Gothenburg.
Alda Terracciano presented the interactive work Zelige Door on Golborne Road at the kick-off for the network ISN (Interpret Sweden Network) held at the University of Gothenburg on February 5, 2020, organized by the Cultural Heritage Academy and ISN. See photos above.
