The Japanese-Garden Aesthetics of Robert Lepage:Shukukei,Mitate, andFusuma-einSeven Streams of the River Otaand Other Works

Abstract

This article demonstrates the existence of a strong aesthetic kinship between themise en scèneof Robert Lepage and the representational mode of the classical Japanese rock garden. In order to elicit the creative participation of an active spectator, both use such Zen techniques as a radical reduction of scale, orshukukei(miniature landscape); minimalistic material metaphors, ormitate(metaphoric representation); and an asymmetrical, fragmented style, orfusuma-e(fragmented scene). Drawing on the theory and practice of Japanese rock gardening, this article introduces a new critical vocabulary for describing the representational logic, and enlightening effects, of Lepage's approach to ‘setting up stones’ on the stage inSeven Streams of the River Otaand other works.