Narrando histórias através do design: o impacto da cenografia na experiência do espectador

Abstract

Contemporary scenography goes beyond the boundaries of traditional theater, now extending into concerts, immersive events, exhibitions, and urban spaces. This expanded field reflects scenography's capacity to create spaces that transcend mere background settings, becoming an expressive and meaningful element of performance that places the spectator at the center. This project investigates the potential of scenography to enhance the emotional impact of a performance, deepening the spectator's experience. It aims to demonstrate that by understanding the cognitive and physical dimensions of the spectator's engagement—drawing on principles from phenomenology and neuroscience—and exploring their application through key elements in the scene-spectator relationship, it is possible to design spaces that go beyond their physical function and actively shape the narrative and emotional impact of a performance. The research takes shape in the practical project Pronta-A-Vestir, developed through two iterations within a theatrical context and later adapted into an installation presented outside theater’s boundaries. The findings suggest that, beyond defining the physical space of a narrative, scenography significantly shapes the audience's experience, serving as a powerful tool for fostering deeper engagement and reflection on the performance. Thus, this dissertation reflects on the potential of design to create meaningful experiences, emphasizing the importance of materiality and physicality in amplifying the emotional impact of the interaction between scene and spectator, and between space and user.