symposium DIGITAL PERFORMANCE NOW on May 30th, 2025

Krzysztof Garbaczewski's theatre in the face of media and new technologies

The aim of this Ph.D dissertation is to present a monograph of Krzysztof Garbaczewski artistic works and determine their role in contemporary Polish theater and societal reception. The thesis also constitutes an attempt to analyze postmedial theater, showcased through Garbaczewski performances. The research encompasses the artist's projects from his debut in 2008 until 2023, including the premiere of the play Germinal. An additional backdrop for the hypotheses presented in the work was provided by an analysis of theatrical tendencies and aesthetics prevailing among other Polish directors. Within the analyzed performances, the focus lies on the comprehensive relationships between the stage, media, actors, and the audience. It is worth emphasizing that the contemporary theater audience assumes an active role as engaged participants in the theatrical event, co-creating their own experiences during the performance. Garbaczewski's creative output becomes a study of key transformations occurring in present-day theater. The influence of his work is particularly evident in its impact on other Polish directors using of VR technology. The paper also examines Polish theater in the context of technological transformations that impact new aesthetics on the stage.

The study Once Upon a Time... Reality is concerned with extracting the crucial components of the

medium of virtual reality, and the VR experience in particular. The research focuses on the process of

design and development of 3D environments and the impact of interactive elements available in this

medium on user engagement. The study does not aspire to create a compendium, but focuses on

experimenting with the available to the author technologies and builds a reflection on the

phenomenon of modernity in relation to high-tech.

OPĘTANI, MISE EN SCÈNE DE

KRZYSZTOF GARBACZEWSKI