Blood Wedding is designed for the Abbey Theatre. I wanted this project to be both conceptual and traditional. I was greatly inspired by the Gothic and traditional Spanish photography of Ruven Afanador. I wanted to show a focal stage piece that would transform from being unassuming to threatening depending on the atmosphere of the scene and how it was lit. The stage piece is inspired by the vineyards of Spain.
Masque of the Red Death is designed for film. I based my set pieces on climate change and wealth inequality. I wanted to show a compact, desolate world that has been ruined by climate disaster. I wanted to place areas inspired by India and China next to a more western city. I was inspired by a talk on climate change I attended in UCC where I learned of the disingenuous idea, that if a western country can meet our emissions target and a country such India does not, that we have succeeded and they have failed. When in reality India’s emission targets are high to provide for a western capitalist market.
The commune of rich elites who hide from the plague is to showcase the conservation of parts of our planet while ignoring the bigger issues. The final scene showcases the elite succumbing to the red death surrounded by Greek and Roman marble sculptures.