A Voiceless Vault of Blue
"A belief that our own ideas, passions and perceptions, could be treated as data. As mental OBJECTS."
A Voiceless Vault of Blue is a self-devised ballet set in a fictional loch town in the highlands of Scotland in 1670-1680. It address' conflicts between science, religion and politics during this period under a framework of neglected and misunderstood mental illness. With focus around the unexplained, the phenomenal and the delusions caused by great emotion and possessiveness, there is a wildness and ferocity to the piece; not unlike Scotland and it's landscape.
The design takes primary influence from the historic costume, scientific data and instruments of the time period. In addition to this, the loch and surrounding environments are translated as mirrored and stained glass. The eggs of native creatures below the water, serve as a representation of the illness each character bears.
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Research and Inspiration Moodboards
Further Concept Information:
Set in 1670-80, the design of the ballet very much focus' around the social and environmental climate of the narrative. With reference to the Scottish poems that inspired this ballet, the loch has been interpreted as precious glass, specifically stained glass and mirror. Like stained glass windows, the loch depicts and plays host to beyond human 'beings' brought to life with light and reflection. Their presence and beauty serve only to inform the common man of greater things and the power and beauty they should aspire to and in turn reflect as a mirror, their flaws. As a result, the common people from the remote highland village are drab, faded, dark and jagged, a broken image like the engravings of the period. With understanding of the historic scientific themes, 17th century instruments, beliefs and knowledge, comes this idea of 'Vacuum'. Human thoughts were not physical, socially respected or aided, but indulged as data. Emotional data, verging on fantasy, have been translated visually through fish and frog eggs, taken from the loch-side. Each earthly character allows an unhealthy desire or hunger to grow inside them hiding in plain sight, this will be represented through said sheer eggs, showing the growth of individual personal creatures within the costume and a connection to the environmental setting.
Scientific instruments have informed detail, print and 3D silhouettes. These silhouettes allow restrictions and disguise of individuals to be portrayed.
With the Maiden Loch Folk being regarded as 'alien' or inhuman, elements of gentle and nature-based Sci-Fi visuals are incorporated, this is not only to expand on ideas of science and data, but further their lack of reality to Mr Walter.
The colour palette takes inspiration from influential stained glass windows and loch-side botanicals with: Prominent black, Bright Blue, Duck egg Blue, Grey Blue, Moss Green, and with minimal highlights of Blood/Orange Red & Heather Purple/Pink.
© 2020 by Yan Smiley, all rights reserved.