A World of Stage: Russian Designs for Theater, Opera, and Dance

The innovation of Russian performing arts started at the end of the 19th century. There arose a quest for Russian identity as a reaction against the tasteless academic style that had been promoted by the Imperial power, and and fresh visions based on the poetic interpretation of Russian folk arts were offered in the world of stage design. This movement was succeeded by the “World of Art”members including Serge Diaghilev, and then came to full bloom in Paris as the success of his Ballets Russes, which aimed at the unification of dance, music, and visual arts.
Among the factors that prepared the flourish of Russian theatrical arts at the age of revolutions, was the rise of so-called Russian Avan-gard movement. The artists inluenced by cubists and futurists created innovative stage designs, which, along with experimental dance arrangement and stage effect, had a great impact on arts and performances all around Europe. The United States and Asia were also under their influence, as is proved by the documents and related art works now in many cities in the world.
This exhibition introduces the innovation of designs in Russian stage arts in the 20th century, through the display of about 190 items from New York, Paris, London, St.petersburg, as well as from around Japan. With the focus on sketches for costumes and stage sets, it includes real costumes, posters, brochures, photographs, and films of reenactment, to vividly present the energetic world of stage arts of that time.

Aomori Museum of Art