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2nd year Lecture notes: by Michael Moor

 

Proxemics:is the study of cultural, sociological and psychological implications of relative distances, shapes and domains within space.

 

The ‘psychology’ of Proxemics … ‘size matters!’

 

There are three main types of spatial organisation

n    Informal: A space with no obvious rules of use or conventions of spatial distribution.

n    Semi-fixed: Most human spaces are in this

    category from open spaces such as parks to the ‘built in conventions’ of use in our homes such as a kitchen and bathroom. Other  rooms also allow some flexibility

    of use. (a bedroom could also function as a living

     room, for example.)

n    Fixed: Theatres and cinemas could be described as

   ‘fixed’ because once inside a deliberate and complex

   ‘system’ of  ‘rules’  of usage apply.

 

Think an Informal space near your home                        

… and a Fixed space (besides a theatre or cinema) near your home?

 

Proxemics can clearly be applied to the performing arts.


For example

n To lend an understanding to the complex relationship between audience and performer.

 

Performance space can be  further categorised as:

n    The Dedicated Space. The DNT is a dedicated space.

                                                             

n    The Occasional Space. The Occasional Space is generally any other space used or adapted for performance.

 

Proxemics as a basis for understanding what we see?

 

n   Volcano Theatre’s production of ‘The Town That Went Mad’. Clearly can be seen in the context of  proxemics.

•The cube construct; a ‘domain (that moved) within a space’ was an effective and clever use of proxemics. This construct can be seen as informative (in the specific context of the play) of the ‘feeling of claustrophobia’ that living in a small town might induce.( It was also used in a number of other inventive ways).

 

It must be remembered that special circumstances and conventions exist that often re-defines the ‘rules’ of proxemics.

 

Discuss … briefly...How, where  and why?

n    Drink

n     Drugs

n     Crowded public transport.

n    Football matches

n    Parties and night clubs

 

The Manchester Royal Exchange!

n    A near perfect example of the use of proxemics in theatre design.

n    No member of the audience (a potential 750) is further than 30ft from the performance!

 

Further Reading: Hamilton,J. Performance. p19-26