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Grotowski e la ricezione: Lo spettatore

This article stems from a long-term exploration of issues of reception. It uses the structures of spoken (rather than ‘academic’) language in an attempt to preserve the criteria of transmission of knowledge set out in Grotowskian tradition. Most of the material quoted is unpublished or obscure.

The present text is a republication (with illustrations, but otherwise unchanged) of the essay that first appeared in May 2013 in the online journal "Limina Teatri" (at http://www.liminateatri.it/giulianocampo.htm and http://www.liminateatri.it/giulianocampoII.htm). This new version (which appeared in October 2013) is being submitted simply because the presentation is superior.

Among the wider implications of the concept of reception, this study analyses in particular the research on theatrical space and the relationship with spectators that Grotowski and his ‘Teatr Laboratorium’ undertook in successive phases of their work: the re-enactment of ‘Ritual Theatre’ (1959-1969), then the radical change that came with ‘Active Culture’ and the practice of ‘Paratheatre’ (1970-1978), where spectators were replaced by participants. The article then summarises developments in the next phases of Grotowski’s work, the ‘Theatre of Sources’ (1979-1982), and ‘Art as Vehicle’ (1986-1999), where his focus moved from what he called ‘horizontal’ to ‘vertical’ reception.