#SVOBODAYS
The project
In less than two decades, digital and advanced technologies
have deeply transformed the landscape of performing arts.
This project aims to examine these transformations on a European scale, through a two-phase traveling project.
The first phase (2020-2022) enabled the three partner schools to design and create the exhibition materials.
It concluded with the first public presentation of #Svobodays at ENSATT in December 2022.
In a second phase (2023-2024), the event was hosted by schools in ten European countries
Over three years, this project connected nearly a thousand students, teachers, stage professionals and visitors.
Dynamic models
Construction in each school of a scale model of a Svoboda set
chosen for its scenographic possibilities.
​
Ensatt / Faust
Construction of the model of the scenic device
of Faust (1996) by the students of Ensatt.
This device combines reflection, kinetics, machinery and projection.
Jamu / The Trap - Graffiti
Construction of the model of the device
of Graffiti (1999) by the students of Jamu.
This device integrates video
and digital technologies.
Esad / La Traviata
Construction of the model of the device
of La Traviata (1992) by the students of Esad.
The mirror reflects painted canvases or images projected on the floor.
Conception et réalisation des Black Box
Design and production of a removable miniature theatre
to experiment with models on light, digital and video technologies.
This tool provides an alternative solution for schools without access to professional equipment.​
Black Box
Travelling exhibition
"Technology, what for?"
Design and creation of an evolving video mapping exhibition. The content, developed collaboratively with teachers and students from the participating schools, explores the various facets of the relationship between stage and technology.
Conferences and roundtables
Each edition of #Svobodays offers a program of conferences and roundtable discussions, with themes and guests chosen in collaboration with the host schools.
Conferences
- History of Stage Technologies
- Inventors and Pioneers of Stage Technologies
- Innovative Stage Devices by Svoboda
- Scenography 2.0
- Toward a poetic of the immaterial
Roundtables
- Theatre and technology
- Technology, what for?
- Theatre and sustainability
- Back to the future​
Workshops
Several lighting and video workshops were organized, adapted to the level and wishes of the students from the host schools. The workshops are supervised by teachers and students from partner schools, to promote peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, in an approach that is both technological and artistic.
Light Workshops
- Led vs filters
- Reflexion
- Light design on models
- Light and skin color
Video Workshops
- Vidéo mapping
- Streaming
- Space transformation
- Creative mapping on models
Inclusion
This program is not only intended for art students already enrolled in a training program, but also for young people questioning their career path - high school students, school dropouts, or unemployed youth.
Two types of activities were conducted: performing arts career discovery days were offered at each edition of Svobodays, and each partner school locally organized introductory stage technology workshops. These activities confirmed that technical theater jobs are a dynamic way to inspire engagement in training programs.
Discovery days
of technical professions in performing arts
Young people are invited to visit the exhibition, participate in workshops, and try their hand at stage techniques.
Time is dedicated to discussing careers and training programs.
Beginner's stage technology workshop
A five-day training in lighting, sound, stage machinery and video was organized in each of the three partner schools for three groups of eight young people.
