Aesthetic Violence through Madness: A Directorial Approach in Contemporary Theatre
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Abstract
Madness is not merely a psychological condition suffered by an individual or regarded as deviant behavior, but rather it is an aesthetic tool that expresses creativity and can be employed in contemporary theatrical performances as a source of aesthetic violence.This study investigates the philosophical and social dimensions of madness and violence, and their connection to theatrical discourse. It explores how madness and violence have historically been linked to experimentation in contemporary theater as well as visual cinema, architecture, and performance arts. It emphasizes that madness should be understood as a force of rebellion, a means of unsettling thought and forming actions that bring about radical societal change.The research focuses on major contemporary directors and their use of madness and violence as essential components within the structure of the performance. It highlights key theatrical figures such as Augusto Boal, Jerzy Grotowski, and Richard Foreman. These figures have employed directorial approaches that go beyond the text, break from traditional forms, and immerse the audience in a sensory experience with hysterical or ritualistic characteristics. This approach is achieved through their emphasis on the body, emotion, and the unconscious.
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