Adophe Appia 1862-1928

Parsifal 1896
Appia's intent was not to create pictorial realism, but to create a believable mood for the scene.
Trees are symbolic, not literal.

       
Rhythmic Spaces
Four scenic elements include: Painted Scenery (Vertical); Spatial Arrangement (Floor); the Actor; the Light
Inclusion of the Actor as a scenic element creates a completely new focus with resonance in modenism.
Appia redefined lighting practice; eliminated footlights; created novel lighting positions.

  
Orpheus, Hellerau 1913

  
Orpheus, Hellerau 1913
Light can be structural. Appia distinguished between a diffuse light that allows visible scenery, and a concentrated light that models form.

Wagner: Tristan and Isolde 1896
And he understood the concept of motivated light.

 Rhinegold, Basel 1924

  
Rhinegold, Basel 1924
Light is fliud; the most plastic of all the scenic elements.

  
Rhinegold, Basel 1924
Appia's drawings have been more influential than his actual productions.

Lee Simonson; Saint Joan 1917

Norman Bel Geddes: Dante's Divine Comedy 1921

Jo Mielziner: Faust 1927

Svoboda: Hamlet 1959

  
 Svoboda, Oedipus Rex,1963

 
Svoboda, Romeo and Juliet, 1963