The Metaphor of Scenography

Reading Notes for “Metaphor” by Borges and “Richard Foreman as Scenographer” Arson
By States from Group “P.E.T.I.O”
Due November 04, 2008


“Every word is a dead metaphor”-Borges
The thought that a word, every word, is a “dead metaphor” is in itself a metaphorical thought. Metaphors are a scarce combination of words that can result in infinity of meanings. The importance in the metaphor is what the reader feels when it’s read or heard. Likewise, theatre encompasses similar characteristics. Like the metaphor, theatre can have several combinations of the same elements, and project infinity of meaning to its audience.
Having a familiarity of objects or comparisons can have a momentary comfort on the audience. For example, many metaphors are comparisons of familiar associations, like a woman to a flower or life to a dream. The same in theater, if the audience sees a comfy couch set by an artificial fire place in an imitation living room, they feel a sense of comfort and familiarity to such aesthetic replica. The thought of associating unlike elements can be a bit shocking, but far more effective on the audience. The unfamiliarity of unlike elements leaves the observer stunned, that they look twice or read twice in order to depict the relation of the rare metaphor or extraordinary setting.
Both metaphors and a stage consist of patterns that can be moved around and convoluted to create a new meaning when presented. A poem and a play or simple metaphors are placed in such ways that give its audience the will to see what they want to see. All the elements that need to be presented are presented, but it is up to the observer to find meaning behind such placement of words or props.