How to Create a Multi-Artistic Piece (Article 1 of 2)

In the late 19th century the music world was graced bySpring appears to be complex at first, but after
an artist who would push the boundaries of music andanalysis one will find that in the very least it explores
art. Richard Wagner laid the foundation forthe various aspects of iconoclasm.
performance art. Wagner combined several art formsAfter a theme has been chosen, the thematic
into a cohesive unit. One of the primary elements thatdevelopment must be created. The thematic
Wagner would use to create this holistic creation wasdevelopment in essence brings life to a theme. The
music, which was the driving force for many of hisquestion that an artist must address is how one wants
pieces. But he incorporated other media such asthe story to develop? During this stage one must
scenic design, costumes, and intricate themes. Thechoose as to whether the story will develop in a linear
themes of many of his operas explored love betweenor abstract form. A story that is linear generally has
people and were at times expressed through mythicalthe simple format of a beginning, middle, and end. In
elements.contrast to this format, the abstract method generally
After the passing of Wagner, the collective art worldshows various aspects of a whole. Furthermore, the
would remain dormant for some 30 years after hisabstract format can be a brief excerpt of a situation.
death. In the early 20th century collective art wasAfternoon of a Fawn is an example of this method. It
revived through Serge Diaghilav's Ballets Russes. Hisonly shows an encounter of a woman meeting a
company would explore collective art in a differentfawn in the forest. In relation to the first description of
direction than Wagner. One of the primary aspects ofthe abstract method, Act I of The Rite of Spring,
Wagner's operas and Diaghilav's productions was thatexhibits the various ceremonies that represent the
the Ballets Russes never used speech to narrate thecreation of the earth. Unlike Act I of The Rite of Spring,
story. Wagner on the other hand used speech andAct II follows a linear format. It begins with the selection
vocals to express the narration. Additionally, theof a virgin to be sacrificed. From this selection, the
method of creation between the Ballets Russes andstory proceeds into the next stage of development
Wagner was that Wagner primarily produced almostwhere the honoring of the chosen virgin is made public.
every aspect of the performance, while on the otherAfterwards, the story ends with the sacrifice.
hand the Ballets had an expert in each field to giveIn addition to addressing the issue of whether thematic
direction. For example, the story line to The Rite ofdevelopment will be abstract or linear, the collective
Spring was created by Stravinsky, but theartist must address if dialogue will be used. If dialogue is
choreography was developed by Vaslav Nijinsky. Inused, then it should be created during this stage. The
contrast to this piece, almost every aspect oflast part of this stage is to determine how the story will
Wagner's Das Rheingold was created by Wagner.be divided into sections. The purpose of using sections,
Wagner created the music, designed the stage set,for the most part, is to maintain clarity of thought and
instructed the movement of the actors, and all otheraid in the development of the theme. The hierarchy
things. The primary difference in the method betweenthat a story can be divided into primarily includes acts
Wagner and the Ballets Russes is that the Balletsand scenes. An act, by definition is part of a whole and
Russes relied on input from one expert from eachwithin each act a portion of the theme is explored.
media and Wagner used a solo approach.Scenes, on the other hand, are the smallest part of an
Many of the above artistic works have been archivedact and they essentially support the act's proportionate
through various means such as scores, librettos, and alltheme.
other things. But unfortunately the methods of creationAfter the collective artist has addressed the questions
for these productions have been rarely recorded anddealing with the theme and story development, now
or available for scholarly inspection. In the twothe artist needs to create a libretto. A libretto, in
examples above, one can find a libretto on each, whichessence, is an outline detailing all of the elements of the
outlines the overall story, but does not help the artist toproduction. It includes the dialogue, scenic design, stage
learn how to create a multi-artistic piece. In thislighting, and all other things. The purpose for a libretto
installment of several articles, the questions that will begives the creative artist(s) a point of reference when
addressed and answered include: What is a libretto?they begin to produce the production. Some important
How can a libretto aid in developing a story line? Howfeatures of the libretto include a synopsis of the
does one choose a theme? Should the storyproduction both whole and in part. Additionally, the
development be linear or abstract?libretto will include any dialogue that is used. The last
The first issue that a collective artist must address isaspect that one will see in a libretto is any stage
the theme that will be explored. A theme is thecommands, lighting effects, visual elements, and all
foundation for a production. Themes can be simple orother things. These elements usually outline their
complex in design. Debussy's Afternoon of a Fawnfunction and when they will occur.
has a simple theme in that it explores the end ofAfter an artist has created a theme, determined the
teenage years and marks the beginning of adulthood.thematic development, and compiled all these aspects
In addition to this piece, Wagner's Flying Dutchmeninto a libretto. Then they move onto the next stage of
investigates the intricacies of an interpersonalthe creative process. In the next article, I will discuss
relationship. In these two examples the themes arethis process and how it relates to the various arts.
fairly straightforward. In contrast to the FlyingFurthermore, I will detail the strengths and weakness of
Dutchmen and Afternoon of a Fawn, The Rite ofa few media.