Let the Show Begin!

Have you very been to a theater? Enjoyed a night of brilliant broad way show? To put up an entire show is not an easy task. The staging is the most important thing, from all the elaborate lighting, audio speakers, layers of stage props and backgrounds, even to the cloth, makeup and hairstyle of the actors and actresses. All the backstage hard works all pull together during the show just to bring the audience from the seat the best of the people on the stage. The backstage hard work does not only happen in broad way, but also on architecture. But in this case, the stage becomes the site, and the main character performing on the stage is the structure itself.

This notion of staging of architecture can be seen everywhere as a method of objectifying and a way of preserving the historical structure. The most significant example of staging of architecture happens in Kyoto, the Kinkakuji (金閣寺) Temple. The temple structure is sited beside a small lake. The intention of siting is obvious, which is to create the reflection of the structure on the lake surface. Visitors to Kinkakuji are all guided to a platform across the lake from Kinkakuji, where marks “Photo Area”. Just like the audience seating area in the theater, standing at this “Photo Area” can help capturing the structure and the reflection without any thing blocking. This lake of reflection serves like a stage prop that amplify the beauty of the golden pavilion. Nature becomes the makeup for the structure. Kinkakuji is famous for its fall and winter view. The red and orange color of the Japanese maple tree during the fall season embellished the golden color of the pavilion. The white color of the winter snow laced perfectly for the golden pavilion. There are series of postcard images creating the symbolic and iconic imagery of the golden pavilion. This notion of facading a stage setting is successfully used to attract tourists and boost up the commercial value of the old structure. Objectification through staging is a powerful tool to achieve the goal of preservation and commercial success.