Transport: A SUSTAINABLE THEATRE
Tin Grabnar
The theatrical event is essentially unique and unrepeatable. Archive footage, critical notes and photographic materials remain, but as such it will never be repeated again. It remains firmly anchored in the past. Therefore, theater is always inextricably linked to the moment in which it is created. It is a product of its time and at the same time a reflection of it. Throughout history, the theater has often gone one step further; it researched and paved new paths, changed perspectives and sought creative solutions to broader social problems. Today, the world is facing extremely demanding challenges of global proportions. We stand, so to speak, on the brink of an ecological disaster. With the rise of intolerance, hatred and violence, with the emergence of wars, the depletion of the earth's natural resources and increasing social inequality, the ecological crisis is probably the most comprehensive and the most urgent. There is less and less time to find solutions. The role of the theatre is therefore all the more important in such a rapidly changing world. Theatre can become a testing ground and a model for action in our daily lives.
A theatre production can tackle ecological issues in different ways. It can make them a substantive starting point, so that it thinks about the causes and consequences of environmental crises through theatrical means of expression. In this way, it encourages space for reflection in the audience, nurtures sensibility and draws attention to the alarming problems of pressing ecological issues. The second way involves the internalization of ecological awareness, which creators place at the center of all aspects of production. It is therefore a conscious implementation of the principles of sustainable thinking and action. Already in the stage of creating the show, the creators commit to trying to follow sustainable guidelines for reducing the environmental footprint in all stages of the process. This includes the use of energy-saving solutions, the elimination of harmful substances and the use of local, sustainable and recycled materials.
The Transport project tries to take all of the above into account when designing theatrical productions. The use of modern and high-performance technical equipment with low energy consumption enables exceptional energy savings. Each of the shows thus operates on just one electrical outlet, such as is found in every average household. Energy consumption in these productions is therefore extremely low - comparable to the energy consumed by a single theatre spotlight in a normal performance. This minimalist approach combines technical innovation with ecological responsibility, setting Transport - a six shows omnibus as an example of sustainable theatre practice.
The scenography is made from local raw materials, and its production with 3D printing technology allows waste materials in the form of scraps and unused remains to be reduced to a minimum. Printers print exactly what we need and do not use excess material. There is hardly any discarded plastic, which is also made from biodegradable corn starch and sugar cane.
The Transport project strives to follow the guidelines of sustainable theatre even in the post-production phase. Hosting theatrical performances, which often require extensive transport logistics and the consumption of fossil fuels, pose a significant challenge for the environment. Therefore, questions about the expediency of such practices repeatedly arise. Nevertheless, the contact between cultures, the exchange of different perspectives and the promotion of dialogue and cooperation are key to solving global challenges. Locking in one's own micro-contexts could jeopardize this necessary cooperation.
The Transport project has developed a model that enables more environmentally friendly hosting of theatre performances. Each staging of the international project is designed as a compact and self-contained production of small dimensions that can be easily packed into shipping containers. These containers allow simple and efficient transport that can be carried out by public postal services, which significantly reduces the impact on the environment.
The actors and technical team of the performances also travel exclusively by public transport, which further reduces the carbon footprint. Although such a hosting model is not yet completely carbon neutral, it represents an important step towards sustainable operation and environmental responsibility.
With this kind of approach, Transport project proves that it is possible to combine intercultural dialogue and ecological awareness without compromising the quality of theatre art or its global accessibility.
About the author
Tin Grabnar is as a profound investigator and interrogator of contemporary puppetry art. His works skilfully combine elements of dance, improvisation, contemporary puppetry, magic, performance, and visual art. He has received numerous awards. His performances open up deep emotional, ethical, and philosophical questions, highlighting sustainable living as an underlying theme.