Projects / Programmes
Dynamics of Change in the 20th Century Slovenian Theater. Shaping and Reshaping of Aesthetic, Social and Cultural Boundaries
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 7.00.00 |
Interdisciplinary research |
|
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| H003 |
Humanities |
History and Arts |
| H330 |
Humanities |
Dramatic art |
Theatre History, 20th Century Slovenian Theatre and Drama, Artistic Canon and the Processes of Marginalisation, Censorship, Theatre in the Revolutionary Processes, War and Social Transition (1914-1918, 1941-1945, 1991), The Function of National Theatres in the 20th Century, Slovenian Theatre and Emancipation of Women, Avant-gardes, Experiments and the Institutional Theatre System in Slovenia, Tradition, Modernism and Postmodernism in Slovenian Theatre, Theatre and the Development of New Media/Technologies, Theatricality of Slovenian Culture-20th Century, Theatre and Economy, Theatre as part of National and Popular Culture, Mechanisms of Change in History
Researchers (11)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
The project is the first attempt in Slovenia at wider interdisciplinary research on the 20th century Slovenian theatre. The goal is to deepen, revise and supplement the knowledge about Slovenian theatre history by:
1. Systematic study and historical analysis of the main events, authors and achievements in the field of theatre art during the 20th century
2) A historical study of Slovenian theatre in wider social and political contexts and in connection with the manifestations of theatricality in everyday life and within public events.
3) Illumination of the historiographic question of the dynamics of change and the aspects of continuity within Slovenian theatre culture of the 20th century.
Historical analysis will be focused on shaping and reshaping of aesthetic, social and cultural boundaries, which is relevant in several respects. First, the »innovation« and »modernity« were the focal point of important artistic and social debates. Second, Slovenian 20th century history was marked by radical political, social and cultural turning points, which caused changes in the material and institutional frameworks, in political and cultural orientation (German cultural space, the Balkans, Europe), conditions of theatre production and reception, in ideology and aesthetics. At the same time global development of technologies and media changed the understanding of theatre in general. Outwardly, these processes were manifested as affirmations and/or marginalizations of individual theatre forms, authors, trends and topics. A »new« study of these processes, according to contemporary methods of historiography and theatre studies, is not only an academic, but an ethical issue as well. It is also a prerequisite for the understanding of current art issues characterizing the period of modern cultural transitions.
Significance for science
The project is of vital importance for the development of theatre and performing arts studies, as it brings with it authentic research of phenomena that played a decisive role in the 20th century Slovenian theatre culture, but have not yet been researched. The findings of this research lay the foundations for the process of historicizing and theoretization of Slovenian theatre and performing arts, as the history of the second half of the 20th century has yet to be written. These are reference works that critically revise already known and well-established interpretations, while making a relevant contribution to the dialogue on current epistemological and methodological issues.
The project presents the main aesthetical, cultural and ideological orientations that have shaped the Slovenian theatrical canon and uncovers the development of the relationship between tradition and innovation through the century. Topics that have been kept in the background in traditional studies, such as the avant-garde movements and experimental practices (happenings, contemporary performative practices, dance, amateur theatre, etc.), present an important part of the project, as does the research on the previously overlooked stage speech, directing and dramaturgy. The project also includes studies of the audience and perception modi, which have not been the focus of research before, and research of censorship and self-censorship that was not possible in the past due to ideological reasons. Special attention is paid to developing new terminology, as well as designing new concepts and methodologies in researching performance. Various artistic practices, (particularly those in the extended field of performing art in the second part of 20th century, with a characteristic rhyzomatic interweaving of disciplines, arts and media), have created complex phenomena that demand innovative approaches in researching and are in need of appropriate terminology.
An additional advantage of this project is the trans-disciplinary approach that deals with specific issues from a sociological and culturally-political point of view. The findings could have an important influence on the re-evaluation of knowledge in other fields, particularly in literature, history, sociology of culture, anthropology, cultural and media studies. The results have proven to be of interest also across national borders, particularly in theatre studies in Central and Eastern European countries facing similar transitional processes. Important intercultural dialogue has been set up due to international projects, among them STEP – Project on European Theatre Systems, European Network for Documentation and Research of Performances of Ancient Greek Drama, European Festival Research Project (in association with International Association of Theatre Critics) and co-operation of members in research groups within International Federation for Theatre Research (“Historiography” and “Theatrical Event Working Group”).
The initiative of the research group and their engagement in founding and contributing to Amfiteater, the first scientific journal dealing with theatre and performing arts in Slovenia, is also of key importance. The journal provides an integrative context for research previously dispersed across various periodical publications, as well as setting up dialogue with the international community and introducing two new research foci to it, namely “Mechanisms of Control and Power” and “Work and Collaboration Processes within Contemporary Performing Arts”. Both are based on conceptual origins of this project, as is the first issue dedicated to Performing Arts and the Politics of Representation.
The project with its collection of empirical analyses and documentary material is an important addition to the national data collection, maintained by the archive of the Centre for Theatre and Film Studies at UL AGRFT), while the new findings have already found their way into curricula at University of Ljubljan
Significance for the country
The results of the research project have significantly expanded the research field of Slovenian theatre studies and have aided in the development of this frequently deficient research field, while the research group also helped greatly in promoting Slovenia internationally by attending and organising events and scientific presentations.
On the initiative of and in collaboration with the project group, a new scientific journal Amfiteater was founded, the first issue of which (Performing Arts and the Politics of Representation) was edited by a member of the group Dr. Barbara Orel and the second (Mechanisms of Control and Power) by head of the project Dr. Barbara Sušec Michieli. The journal provides an opportunity for the exchange of Slovene and foreign reflections on performing arts, which is undoubtedly one of the more important tasks in researching performing arts in Slovenia. An important part in Slovenian theatre studies gaining recognition was also played by the international conference on Mechanisms of Control and Power, which was organized under the patronage of the International Federation for Theatre Research – Historiography Working Group and took place in Ljubljana in the spring of 2008. Two research assistants joined the project group in 2007 and 2008.
The research on relationships between theatre, state and economy, the analysis of theatre censorship in Slovenia, the reflection on various theatrical aesthetics, the historical overview of the development of stage speech and the deliberation on various forms of Slovenian avant-garde theatre movements all possess, in addition to their scientific and promotional, have also pedagogical value, as the results of the project will be used in teaching at a university level. In addition, the results will enable the artistic, expert and general public to show a more responsible attitude to tradition, cultural and national identity, while also raising awareness of the social significance of (performing) art(s). Members of the project group also actively participate on the current artistic scene and thus contribute significantly to cultural development in Slovenia (preparations for the 2008 Borštnik Theatre Festival, contributions to newspapers, magazines, books, AV media, preparation of Slovenian and participation at foreign meetings, congresses and conferences).
Presenting contemporary Slovenian culture (mainstream culture and counterculture) and state as a place where one can engage in cultural polylogue within international space has also led to participation of members of the group at various scientific events (conference of The International Federation for Theatre Research in Stellenbosch, Seoul and Lisbon, Past Reflection in Postsocialism conference in Budapest, The Theatrical Event as Playing Culture meeting in Amsterdam, Prognosis Conference in Berlin etc.). Many contributions important for the recognition of Slovenian performing art abroad were made as a result of participation in international projects (STEP – Project on European Theatre Systems in Europe; European Network of Research and Documentation of Ancient Greek Drama). International research activities of the project group resulted in numerous Erasmus exchanges of students and professors (University of Athens, University of Warwick, FU Berlin, DAMU Prague, Banská Bystrica Academy of Dramatic Arts etc.), which also included research work. The results of the research also helped and had a positive effect on the preparation of the Bologna study programmes at the Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television (UL).
The project-based research has made an important contribution with regard to preservation of material and non-material Slovenian cultural heritage, as we have acquired and publicly presented new material on theatrical activity in Slovenia (public theatre web-catalogue e-Kumba). The e-Kumba collection contains useful material for students, teachers, researchers and others concerned.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
