Sunday, September 28, 2008
Lighting Designer Among 25 "Genius Grant" Recipients
Stage-directions: "The MacArthur Foundation’s MacArthur Fellows program, nicknamed the “genius grants,” gives artists, scientists, humanitarians and others $500,000 each in “no strings attached” support over a five-year span to simply do what they do best and make the world a better place. This year, a stage lighting designer was included among the 25 recipients — Jennifer Tipton."
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9 comments:
You do not often associate the word Genius with theatrical designers. I however believe that it is under used. By no means am I recommending that designers should be recipients of all 25 Genius Grants but the fact that Jennifer Tipton received one is certainly a step in the right direction, I will be very curious to see what she does with this grant. Hopefully the various trade publications will keep us informed of her advances.
It is very cool to see a lighting designer receiving an award labeled the genius awards. Many times lighting design is not really considered works of genius. Most of the time only the people who are looklign for lighting or those who know almost nothing about it will be impressed by what lighting can do. Now that a lighting designer's work has been recognized as genius perhaps people will take a closer look at the work of lighting designers.
That last anonymous was me i swear
It is great to see recognition of this type in the field of theatrical lighting. After hearing her speak at the Broadway lighting master classes on color I definitely would agree that she has some very interesting things to say. It will be interesting to see what this $500,000 goes to.
That's pretty neat to see this award go to an LD. Often, people don't associate intricate knowledge of aesthetics to be considered genius. However, everyone has their genius and it's good that they are acknowledging such a specific field of art.
I think it is great to see the Genius Grant be applied to new kinds of genius and creativity. Putting a lighting designer in the same league as physicists and scientists is great.
I want this grant. I don’t know what it is I do that I do well that could get me that. Maybe just go to school? It is a really interesting concept, and I think these people can really contribute to society in the long run. They can take non-paying jobs that will help them climb their career ladders. It is a really neat idea.
This grant is such a great idea and it theatre people fit the bill almost too perfectly despite the fact that they are constantly overlooked. Theatre is something that is artistic, technical and thought provoking all at the same time. And Tipton certainly seems to be amazing at all these things. I think the official description of Tipton's work seems rather ridiculous but only because it is impossible to translate lighting design into a written description. I would alspo love to see what Tipton does with fog and white lights for it seems to be rather cutting edge.
I'm a big fan of Jennifer Tipton. I've always found her lighting to not be overzealous in its demanding of location, but rather - just right - and just what the show needs for the audience to be put where the need to be.
I also am so happy that she was awarded the genius grant. It also makes me wonder though, why other theatre (or if) designers have not been given this award - and if not - it's about time.
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