theater as a well — ryan karczewski

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theater as a well

The city of Venice is extremely permeable, allowing for an easy exploration of the occupant and extensive moments of interaction. Exploring the ideas of view, occupation, and the “layered edge”.

Through the development of a mapping of the Venetian Canals and Campi, this project began to speak primarily on borders and edge conditions between traditionally public spaces that exist on different horizontal planes. Through further research, the Venetian Well became prevalent as a historically significant focal point within the majority of the city’s campi, acting as a communal tool that celebrated moments of interaction and allowed for residents to access water even if not adjacent to the city’s canal.

Furthermore, the idea of the layered edge became increasingly prevalent, blurring boundaries between traditionally separated spaces. If pedestrians could occupy both the canal and campo, interaction between these spaces could be celebrated through light and shadow, view, and rising tides. The canal became a stage for pedestrians to witness and interact with primarily as an audience member.

Choosing to shift the Venetian Well to occupy the center of the theater space, allows for that focal point to shift to the canal and to emphasize view as the main source of interaction between the campo and the canal. The well, naturally, also provides a vertical connection between the stage and the water below. As the tides rise, the stage and the campo become swallowed, allowing for the water to create a horizontal, and physical, connection between the two otherwise separated spaces.