Doctoral Thesis Museum Theater Techniques in Greek Museum Spaces: an Extensive Approach Based on Contemporary Art Exhibitions Elli S. Fasoi Supervisor: Associate Professor Martin Kreeb Department of Theatre Studies Patras 2016 UNIVERSITY OF PATRAS DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE STUDIES "Museum Theater Techniques in Greek Museum Spaces: an Extensive Approach Based on Contemporary Art Exhibitions" Elli S. Fasoi Advisory Committee: Associate Professor Martin Kreeb (Supervisor) Assistant Professor George Papaioannou Professor Pavlos Lefas Patras, 2016 i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Given this opportunity, I would like to express my gratitude and respect to everyone who helped make this dissertation possible. First and primarily my supervisor, Associate Professor Martin Kreeb, who trusted me and gave me the opportunity to work under his guidance. He has played a major role in what I am today. I would also like to thank Assistant Professor George Papaioannou, Professor Pavlos Lefas, and Associate Professor Thanassis Karalis. They were more than willing to answer my questions and offer advices whenever needed. Furthermore, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Vaso Maryelou, the Peri Technon's gallery owner. This work would have been impossible without her support and willingness to help in the thesis first practical part. Looking back, I consider myself very lucky that I had the chance to collaborate with her. I would also like to thank Kleomenis Kostopoulos, the Art in Progress' director, for his willingness to bestow the exhibition space in order to complete the thesis second practical part. I would be grateful to work with him again in the future. Special thanks go to Faidra Petta, the actress, for her volunteering in the theatrical play. She was an excellent collaborator! Additionally, I gratefully acknowledge the help of the 'Skagiopouleio Project' exhibition's curator, Nikos Podias, who provided valuable information and knowledge about the exhibits. Last but not least, I would like to personally thank my father, Professor Spilios Fassois, for his guidance and advice. I would also like to thank my mother, Sophia Deli, and my ii husband, Antony Koumpias, for their emotional support and for always being there for me! iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................... ii Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................................... iv List of Figures .......................................................................................................................................... viii Abstract........................................................................................................................................................ x Thesis Summary ........................................................................................................................................ xi Περιληψη ..................................................................................................................................................xiii Συνοψη ...................................................................................................................................................... xv 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 What is a Museum? .................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 What is Theater and its Connection to Museums? ................................................................ 2 1.3 What is Museum Theater? ........................................................................................................ 3 1.4 Problem Statement ..................................................................................................................... 5 1.5 Aim and Objectives .................................................................................................................... 6 1.6 Literature Review ....................................................................................................................... 7 1.7 Research Methodology ............................................................................................................ 19 1.8 Research Limitations ............................................................................................................... 20 1.9 Research Innovations and Significance ................................................................................. 21 1.10 Museum Theater and its Parameters ..................................................................................... 22 1.10.1 Museum Theater: History, Present and Future ........................................................... 22 1.10.2 Museum Education in Relation to Museum Theater .................................................. 27 1.10.3 New Technologies, Museum, Theater, and Education ............................................... 29 1.10.4 Architecture, Museums, and Theater (Museum Design) ........................................... 30 1.10.5 Contemporary Art Exhibitions ....................................................................................... 32 2 Museum Theater Strategies in International Art Museums and Greek Museums ................. 34 2.1 Museum Theater Strategies .................................................................................................... 34 2.2 Museum Theater Programs In International Art Museums .............................................. 37 2.2.1 The National Gallery of Art, Washington DC, United States .................................... 38 iv 2.2.2 The Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia ........................................... 39 2.2.3 The Newark Museum, New Jersey, United States ...................................................... 40 2.2.4 The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, United States ................................................... 41 2.2.5 The Hepworth Wakefield Gallery, West Yorkshire, England - United Kingdom .. 42 2.2.6 The Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland - United Kingdom ... 44 2.2.7 Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 45 2.3 Museum Theater Programs In Greek Museums ................................................................. 45 2.3.1 The Museum of Local Art and Agricultural History, Arolithos................................ 46 2.3.2 The B&M Theocharakis Foundation, Athens ............................................................... 47 2.3.3 The Athens University Museum, Athens ..................................................................... 49 2.3.4 The Benaki Museum, Athens.......................................................................................... 51 2.3.5 The Museum of Greek Folk Art, Athens ....................................................................... 52 2.3.6 The National Archaeological Museum, Athens ........................................................... 53 2.3.7 The Archaeological Museum of Patras, Patras ............................................................ 55 2.3.8 The Acropolis Museum, Athens .................................................................................... 56 2.3.9 The Museum of Cycladic Art, Athens ........................................................................... 57 2.3.10 The Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki ................................ 59 2.3.11 The Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA Goulandris Foundation), Andros Island ............................................................................................................................................. 60 2.3.12 Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 61 2.4 Why Use Museum Theater? ................................................................................................... 63 3 Proposed Action 1: 'A Street is All' ................................................................................................ 69 3.1 The Peri Technon cultural center ........................................................................................... 69 3.1.1 Description ........................................................................................................................ 69 3.1.2 Mission Statement ............................................................................................................ 70 3.2 The Theatrical Production 'A Street is All' ........................................................................... 71 3.2.1 Before the Theatrical Production ................................................................................... 71 3.2.2 During the Theatrical Production .................................................................................. 80 3.2.3 After the Theatrical Production ..................................................................................... 89 v 4 Proposed Action 2: 'The Orphanage House: Cleaning and Thinking Through the Ages' ..... 97 4.1 The Art of Progress Company ................................................................................................ 97 4.1.1 Company Description.....................................................................................................