Transcendence is built into the very essence of art, which, at its best, is never limited to a single time, place, or culture, but rather, serves as a beautiful fabric that weaves them all together into one beautiful, unifying tapestry. Pioneering Czech Art Nouveau painter-illustrator Alfons (Alphonse) Mucha certainly exemplified this quality. Moving to Paris in his twenties, he became widely acclaimed for his distinctively stylized theatrical posters, particularly those of the legendary Sarah Bernhardt, that united fine art with music and popular culture. Returning to his homeland later in his life, Mucha became famous for his monumental canvases depicting the history of the Slavic peoples.
The Parisian period of Mucha’s life serves as the inspiration for I Art Nouveau, a magnificent visual experience from the creators of the popular show Vivaldianno, led by Michal Dvořák, a member of the iconic Czech rock band Lucie. Like the work of the artist who inspired it, I Art Nouveau, is brilliant in its execution and style. Of course, like the artist himself, this 90-minute show is also transcendent, as it takes 21st century audiences at Prague’s Hybernia Theatre, on an unforgettable journey back in time to Art Nouveau’s golden age in Paris.
Indeed, those who see I Art Nouveau often feel like they have stepped into the glamorous world of one of Mucha’s posters, with its sleek daring styles and urbane sophistication. But this enchanting magic does not rise from artwork alone. There is also music, dance, animation, acrobatics… all of them seamlessly blended together to create an immersive sense of a lost world. Enhancing the I Art Nouveau experience and lending a powerful element to its transformative effect is an evocative lighting design by Lukáš Patzenhauer, whose inspired work engages visitors on multiple levels. Helping him achieve his vision is a collection of 24 CHAUVET Professional WELL STX 360 tubular fixtures supplied by AudioMaster CZ a.s.
The battery operated WELL STX fill a variety of roles in I Art Nouveau’s stage. Arranged in a variety of configurations depending on the performance, the pixel mappable RGB fixtures create a colorful geometric backdrop that neatly fits the theme of each particular act. For one dance the fixtures may be arranged horizontally, only to be reconfigured vertically for the next. Symmetrical configurations that define the stage at one point, may give way to asymmetrical arrangements, depending on the mood of the moment. At times, the fixtures are even held by the dancers as they become a dynamic part of their choreography.
“The tubes are very variable because they are battery-powered and can be controlled remotely,” said Patzenhauer. “During the performance, we create a luminous scene from the tubes, where they are in a different position or formation for each painting. This flexibility was especially crucial during frequent scene changes, when tubes were used not only as part of a static scene, but also as a dynamic element in the dances. The reality with these fixtures was exactly what I expected. I am extremely satisfied with the product. Everything always worked perfectly during the performance.”
During his long illustrious life Alfons Mucha often discussed the meaning of his work. In one of his more notable quotes he said, “Art exists only to communicate a spiritual message.” Given the transformative nature of I Art Nouveau, it’s likely he would have been very pleased with this show.
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