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SPACE SEMIOTICS – THE MYSTERY OF SPACE

Stage design is for me a kind of philosophy, written with form, color and image instead of words – I was always fascinated with idea, that spacial concepts represent a certain understanding of the world. Scenography defines persona played by an actor, just like space defines us as the people – geometry organizes the Universe, brings it for us out of the chaos and leads us towards harmony and comprehension of being.

I started to work as a stage designer when I was still studying theatre science, and was especially interested in semiotics and cognitive aspect of theatre theory. During stage design studies I rediscovered geometry, which is now for me the unfailing source of inspiration. Maybe that is why scenography stays for me always between art and science. I always try to combine those two factors in my work, and I try to remember, that in order to be able to communicate with the audience I need to know the language of the form and operate it also on a deeper, subconscious level.

scenicdesign.org

BIO

• 2006 – 2011: University of Applied Arts Vienna, Stage Design Class (diploma in 2011 by Prof. Bernhard Kleber)

• 2000 – 2006: Jagiellonian University, Theater Science and Polish Philology (Master Thesis by Prof. Ewa Miodonska–Brookes in 2007)

• 2003 – 2004: School of Artistic Costume Design, Krakow

• 2005 – 2006: competence as a course instructor of exercises based on system of Hatha Yoga 

• 1988 – 1994: The Bronisław Rutkowski Music School, piano class

PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS

Space semiotics, poetic theatre, Dogma movement, sacred geometry, archetypes and collective consciousness (C.G. Jung), symbolism, culture anthropolgy, indigenous cultures and their art;

INTERESTS & HOBBYS

3D design, construction, mountaineering, bike & hike adventures – high altitude mountain biking, downhill and enduro, Muay Thai, cross-country skiing and ski touring, travelling, astrophotography and astronomy, playing instruments and composing music, 432Hz music, tattoo design, photography;  

WHAT I DO

• production design, art direction, stage design, set decoration, props mastery, costume design

• interior design

• design of shop windows, stages for events, concert-stages, fashion shows

• technical design of scenography (technical drawings, editing and transformation of virtual models, 3D visualisations and animations, virtual scenography)

• building decorations (walls, forms, furniture, textures, props)

• photography and editing of images, fiilmstills photography

• videoart, video editing

IN PRODUCTION

2025 – African Queen – Stadttheater Fürth, stage directing: Thomas Rohmer, stage designer: Joanna Piestrzyńska;

2025 – Rita und Hans – Feature Film, Lieblingsfilm & DOR Film; art director: Joanna Piestrzyńska;

 

REVIVAL PRODUCTIONS

2024 – La Traviata, Berlin State Opera; stage directing: Dieter Dorn, stage design: Joanna Piestrzyńska, costume design: Moidele Bickel;

REFERENCES

Lieblingsfilm Berlin State Opera
DOR Film Podlasie Oper and Philharmonic
ZDF Akzent Theatre Vienna
Moovie City Theatre Mödling
Constantin Films Stadttheater Bruck an der Leitha
Syrreal Enterteinment Schlosstheater Schönbrunn
Syrreal Dogs Juliusz Slowacki Theatre Cracow
RTL National Old Theatre Cracow
CBS Studios Hirschberg City Theatre
ARD Degeto Opelln Amphitheater
Tempus Film Music Theatre Forte
Arbor Films Stadtsaal Hollabrunn
Lucky Bird Pictures Stadtgallery Mödling
Enter Film TU Open Air Stage
WSF Warsaw VHS Brigittenau
FAK Vienna Teatro
WRiTV Katowice Rabauki
Le Fresnoy France Marschalls Office Voivoidship Podlaskie
Lapama Arena Classica
Inkubator Kultury MDW Vienna
Wajda Film School UJ Theatre Workshop
Infinity Group PAN Vienna
UAK Vienna Props SC
Ken Leee Gastspiele Fürth
Grossproduktion Opinion Leaders Network
Junger Film Jagiellonian University
Jewel Labs University of Applied Arts Vienna

CONTACT

mag. phil. mag. art. joanna piestrzynska

AT   +43 681 1022 6745

joanna@scenicdesign.org

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Vienna 2025

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS on the website and any other site under the www.scenicdesign.org domain are the property of Joanna Piestrzynska and are protected by European Union and International copyright laws. All copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property rights in this site, are the property of Joanna Piestrzynska. Any publication, copying, posting on social media and any other use (private or commercial) is forbidden und will be a cause for a legal action.