ECR French Nineteenth-Century Art Network Research Forum:
From theatrical stages to domestic interiors: performance and decorative arts in the second half of the nineteenth-century, Paris and London - Dr. Barbara Bessac
My talk will introduce the main developments of my current research on the theatricalisation of home decoration regarding the evolution of stage design practices in the nineteenth-century. It will show how theatrical stages, as collaborative artistic platforms, enhanced the dissemination of new decorative practices and trends in home furnishing and clothing. It will also focus on the relationship between individuals and objects, both on and off stage, and the symbolism of interior material environments and their layout. This work highlights the circulation of decorative arts around the theatres and proposes a reinterpretation of the history of the decorative arts of the second nineteenth-century by including the significant role of the performing arts. Some of the archives used for this research will be presented alongside my argument in order to discuss how to create, document and manage an interdisciplinary research corpus from various collections in France and in England.
Barbara Bessac is a researcher, curator, artist and teacher focusing on the history of material culture, domesticity and design in relation to the performing arts and entertainment. In 2022, she defended her doctoral thesis, a joint PhD in history of art (Université Paris Nanterre) and theatre studies (University of Warwick). She now works between London, Bristol and Paris.
This event will take place at 5pm (GMT)
This is a virtual event - the Zoom link will be sent out on the day. For any issues please get in contact via email and we will try and help as best we can.
This event is open to anyone with an interest in the topic discussed and is not limited to current PhD's, like our other events.
About the Research Forum:
ECR French Nineteenth-Century Art Network Research Forum is a virtually held research forum that allows recent PhD graduates, early career researchers as well as research fellows to present their most recent research. The forum aims to expose new and emerging scholarship and scholars engaging in exciting areas of research. The sessions will last around one hour with the opportunity to engage with the research with questions and answers after. The events are open to all.