Dynamics of Change in the 20th Century Slovenian Theater. Shaping and Reshaping of Aesthetic, Social and Cultural Boundaries

Šifra projekta: J7-9015

SICRIS

The project is the first attempt in Slovenia at wider interdisciplinary research on the 20th century Slovenian theatre. The goal is to deepen, revise and supplement the knowledge about Slovenian theatre history by: 1. Systematic study and historical analysis of the main events, authors and achievements in the field of theatre art during the 20th century 2) A historical study of Slovenian theatre in wider social and political contexts and in connection with the manifestations of theatricality in everyday life and within public events. 3) Illumination of the historiographic question of the dynamics of change and the aspects of continuity within Slovenian theatre culture of the 20th century. Historical analysis will be focused on shaping and reshaping of aesthetic, social and cultural boundaries, which is relevant in several respects. First, the »innovation« and »modernity« were the focal point of important artistic and social debates. Second, Slovenian 20th century history was marked by radical political, social and cultural turning points, which caused changes in the material and institutional frameworks, in political and cultural orientation (German cultural space, the Balkans, Europe), conditions of theatre production and reception, in ideology and aesthetics. At the same time global development of technologies and media changed the understanding of theatre in general. Outwardly, these processes were manifested as affirmations and/or marginalizations of individual theatre forms, authors, trends and topics. A »new« study of these processes, according to contemporary methods of historiography and theatre studies, is not only an academic, but an ethical issue as well. It is also a prerequisite for the understanding of current art issues characterizing the period of modern cultural transitions.