Skinner, Amy ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0790-741X and Baker, Catherine, eds. (2026) Designing Eurovision: Performance Scenography on an International Stage. Routledge

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Abstract

As a unique visual phenomenon and commonly associated with spectacle performances, the scenography of Eurovision is in reality far more nuanced and layered, balancing acts of national identity-building with host country branding, visual tourism and cross-cultural aesthetics. The event demonstrates how ideological spaces are built across Europe and the wider world, highlighting the function of performance scenography in socio-political nation-building. Although the importance of the visual elements of Eurovision is widely acknowledged, this is the first volume to put ESC design front and centre, discussing the critical and practical aspects of creating performance scenography for this international stage. In addition, the volume highlights the significance of Eurovision in the development of performance technologies, frequently functioning as a test-bed for technological innovations in stage design for broadcast arena events. It also explores the visual design-led elements of the contest (set, costume, lighting and projection) and addresses the broader spatial dynamics of the ESC, exploring the socio-political elements of Eurovision performance space. The fluid relationship between the ESC as live performance and as Europe’s largest televised cultural event opens up additional discussions in the book related to the role of liveness in scenographic practice.

This volume brings a unique focus on the materiality of the Eurovision stage, addressing multipronged topics including the history of ESC technologies, ESC scenography and national identity, ESC aesthetics and design, and the ESC host city as stage. It also incorporates interviews with practitioners who have worked on design elements for the ESC, giving practical perspectives on design at the contest.

Item Type:	Book
Status:	Published
Subjects:	N Fine Arts > NX Arts in general > NX456.5.P38 Performance Art
School/Department:	School of the Arts
Institutes:	Institute for Social Justice
URI:	https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/15478

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