WNPR News: At age 83, Ming Cho Lee knows the difference between a world that works and one that doesn’t, certainly when it comes to the stage. For the past six decades, the National Medal of Arts recipient and Tony Award winner has conjured up some of the most memorable scenic worlds of the American theater.
An example of a Chinese watercolor painting, where details matter.
Credit Renato Ganoza / Creative Commons
Lee's legendary designs often intermix abstraction and realism, transforming the poetry of words, music, and movement into metaphoric and functional works of scenic art.
1 comment:
It is incredible to think all of the scenic elements that we think up today all in some way or another relate back to Ming Cho Lee.
I think when Ming Cho Lee speaks to the idea that people acting on stage are three-dimensional it seems obvious, now. But how cool is it to realize that this idea only started after this seemingly obvious observation was stated.
I am also happy to note that Ming Cho Lee started in Fine Arts. In my first semester here, and as I see continuing all the way up through senior year, our professors heavily focus in on having a fine arts hand. After reading this article/video I am reassured that I am studying all the right tools to design.
Ming Cho Lee approaches design at its most simple form; as a device for storytelling. It is there to enhance what is going on in the play.
I thoroughly enjoyed the samples of his work throughout the article. I am eager to continue to do more research and reading about his career.
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