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.

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 |
all rights reserved
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.