Research

Since the exhibition of my practice-led research within the fields of Scenography, Performance and Installation (V&AMuseum, London 2007/08) my interest has been drawn, increasingly, towards interdisciplinary collaboration across arts/science boundaries. I am interested in the processes and methodologies employed within disciplines, and how these might inter-leave with (and inform) one another to advance knowledge and understanding: ultimately, a united and unifying common goal. On-going and emerging projects include collaborations with Professor Iain Donnison and Dr. Elaine Jensen (Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth) to develop sustainable energy solutions for the melting of glass, and research into the perception/reception of artistic installations with Dr. Alex Forsythe (Psychology, Liverpool) and ProfessorRichard Taylor(Physics, Oregon). I am also currently engaged in the collaborative preparation of a Departmental research initiative concerning Ecology, Performance and Location in association with Dr. Carl Lavery and the artist Simon Whitehead.

Biography

Since its foundation (1994) I have acted as Artistic Director for the interdisciplinary performance group U-Man Zoo, designing and directing twelve performances and installations prior to 2006 including Vision 20/20 (Glasgow Tramway, 1996) 32 Wardrobes (Project Arts, Dublin, 2001); and The Water Banquet (Grenland Friteater, 2003). This work has been supported by the Arts Council of Wales, Wales Arts International, the BBC, and the EU PACT (Performing Arts Co-operation and Touring) Scheme.

Teaching

Scenography and Theatre Design

Postgraduate:

PFM0660 MA Practising Performance

Undergraduate:

Module co-ordinator

TP22320 Principles of Scenography

TP34440 Advanced Scenographic Project

TP10420 Scenography Workshop

Lecturer

TP22420 Process of Scenography

TP22520 Scenographic Composition

TP30220 Key Theatre Practices

TP33940 Advanced Production Project

TP36040 Dissertation Project

TP10640 Production Project.

Publications

• Downing, R.D. (2011) Process and Methodology in Methodological Challenges in the Performing Arts (peer-reviewed e-journal) Finnish Theatre Research Society,Helsinki (forthcoming).
• Downing, R.D., Jensen, E. and Donnison, I.(2012) The Butterfly Man Project (installation and exhibition) IBERS, Aberystwyth (in preparation).
• Downing, R.D. (2008) The Water Banquet in Hannah, D and Harslov, O (eds) Performance Design, Museum Tusculanum Press, Denmark, Pp 317 -327
• Downing, R. D. (Nov 2007 – Aug 2008) Aqua Impura (installation/exhibition)Theatre Collections Galleries,Victoria andAlbertMuseum,London.
• Downing, R.D. (2007) The Water Banquet (installation/exhibition)UK representative at the Prague Quadrennial (world design for performance exhibition),Prague.
• Downing, R.D. (2007) Teamwork in Kate Burnett (ed) Collaborators: UK Design for Performance, SBTD Press,London, Pp 148 – 149
• Downing, R.D. (Jan 2007 – Nov 2007) in, Collaborators: Design for Performance (UK touring exhibition) Nottingham Trent University, January 10 – February 4, 2007; Northern Stage, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, August 30 – September 23, 2007; Inverness City Museum and Art Gallery, October 6 – November 3, 2007
• Downing, R.D. (2006) The Parcel (performance/installation) Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

Additional Interests

Recent Conference Contributions and International Workshops

‘Conserving Impermanence’ (June 2011) Sharing Conservation Decisions Conference NLW/School of Art, Aberystwyth (national)

‘Space and Water’ (May 2010) Five day international workshop (leader) TAIK, Helsinki, with participants (staff and postgraduates) from The Helsinki School of Art and Design, The Finnish Theatre Academy (Helsinki), and the Danish Theatre Academy (Copenhagen).

‘Sculpture and other ephemera’ (June 2009) Living Landscapes Conference, Aberystwyth University, (invited contribution, international).

‘Design Performing on the Global Stage’ (Sep 2009) (re)DEFINING WORLD SCENOGRAPHY , OISTAT World Congress and World Stage Design Conference, Seoul, South Korea (invited panellist, international)

‘Creating in Circles’ (June 2008) Performing Design – Designing Performance OISTAT (International Education Commission) conference, Helsinki, Finland. (Invited panellist, international).

‘Leftovers: cooking Rome’, (Jan 2006) Performance Design Symposium, Danish Institute, Rome. Invited workshop leader (five days) and Co-Chair (with Simon Banham) of ‘Encounter’ sub-group (International).

‘Approaches to teaching Scenography’ (Dec 2005) OISTAT symposium, Nottingham Trent University (international)

‘We couldn’t be Appia: scenography, authorship, and the guest’ (Sep 2005) TaPRA conference, Scenography and Visual Performance Manchester University. Invited sub-panel convenor (National)

‘Baby, it’s cold outside….’ (June 2005) Art in the Great Outdoors, CCAT conference, Dublin. Invited panellist (International)

Current Employment

1996 - Lecturer, Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies, Aberystwyth University. Specialism: Scenography and Performance Design. Responsible (scheme co-ordinator) with Simon Banham and Mike Brookes for the introduction of the joint (2002) and single (2007) honours degree schemes in Scenography and Theatre Design at Aberystwyth. Presently, contributor to the following modules:

Postgraduate: MA Practising Performance

Undergraduate (module leader and co-ordinator): Principles of Scenography; Advanced Scenographic Project; Scenography Workshop

Undergraduate (lecturer): Process of Scenography; Scenographic Composition; Key Theatre Practices; Advanced Production Project; Dissertation Project.

External Examiner (2007 – 2010) School of Performance and Cultural Industries, Leeds University.

Other Interests

Wrestling with glass and clay.

Links

Documentation, news, and image galleries relating to previous and current work can be found at www.umanzoo.org