TITLE: Narcissus

This myth portrays ideas surrounding unrequited love, rejection, grief, pride, vanity, repetition, illusion and transformation. I was particularly interested in exploring the latter three themes through the use of projection, reflection and movement.

The lake/mirror is central to the myth, without it the image of Narcissus would not exist, and in turn, without the image of Narcissus he would never truly know himself. In this respect, Narcissus, his reflection and the mirror are interdependent on one another’s existence, creating confusion between what is and isn’t real.

This costume represents the lake, emulating the visual effect of the mirror into the theatre space when light or film is projected onto it. It acts as both a projection screen and a mirrored surface, with each side presenting the same performance, either a pre-recorded digital projection or a reflection of a physical performance. The projection and reflection of light extends the visual boundaries of the costume beyond the body and onto the theatre walls.

The Narcissus story allowed me to explore ideas of fantasy versus reality, using digital technology to represent fantasy and the object to represent reality.

The reflected/projected image creates a paradox, confusing Narcissus to “… woo or be wooed”. Through research, the idea of a paradoxical structure developed, resulting in a structure that could interchange between object and costume. The structure needed to lie flat, create solid or sculptural forms and move with fluidity.

GENERAL CREDITS
Director: Clare McGarrigle/ Agnes Treplin
Choreographer: Angela Woodhouse
Dancer: Francesco Mangiacasale
Lighting Designer: Neil Brinkworth
Sound Designer: Nik Kennedy
Hair & Make Up: Goshka Topolska
Video Production: Alex Marshall & Ash Tailor