A few thoughts on sustainability
Where did this fabric come from, who made it, and where will it go when I no longer need it?
As a performance designer, it is almost impossible not to reflect on material consumption, waste and production methods, the waste that is eventually produced in our industry. Often, there is little time to find new homes for things built, and even less time to debrief and reflect together how things could be done better and more sustainably.
As a freelance artist, one is seldom involved in policy making processes, though we all have a responsibility to address these issues, now. If nothing else, to always consider the "before and after story" of the materials we choose to work with, and do everything we can to refuse, reduce, re-use and recycle. And learn while doing.
Working in a time of climate emergency and biodiversity crisis, also the performing arts need to make a change - not only in the way we produce sets and costumes, but how we think about touring, how the audience travels and how the theatre houses are run.
We need to change, make a transition to production methods where sustainability is an inevitable factor to consider - alongside economy and timeframes - when envisioning, planning and designing productions. There is no alternative.
Eventually a circular production model could free up valuable resources and also create new job opportunities, such as local specialists sourcing pre-used materials, and/or distributing things to the local community at the end of a production.
"This is a positive development. To resist change and refuse adaptation to sustainable methods and materials is not an alternative. We don’t need to agree on the scale of risks that climate change will pose, but we can agree to trust the science behind recent predictions and to take these seriously. We can, both as individual practitioners and within our organisations, increase awareness and define clear goals. Work towards a climate-friendly transition should take place on four planes simultaneously: individual, institutional, educational, and political. We need to do this now, to meet the demands of the future while we still can make a difference."
- Annika Bromberg, author of "Klimatet, vår viktigaste berättelse - den (o)hållbara scenkonsten" (STDH 2021)
While associated with Folkteatern Gävleborg, I am involved in their sustainability work since 2021.
During 2024, I am also translating the Theatre Green Book (see link below), a detailed online guide to sustainable performing arts, into Swedish. This is a project initiated by Svensk Scenkonst (Swedish Performing Arts Association).
Useful links:
Report from Performing Green workshop in Gävle 2024 - for designers and directors. (ENG)
Beregn Handling.NU (calculator, DK)
Julie ́s Bicycle (UK)
