Carmen
Anastasia Pappas, director
Brief: Abstract operatic stage environment, representing the tough, elegant chaos of the street, to promote MTV’s “hip-hop’era”, Carmen, starring Beyonce Knowles, Mekhi Phifer, Mos Def, Da Brat and Bow Wow.
An environment or symbol was created to represent each character.
(1) The stage set, with Beyonce being lowered in the ‘picture frame cabinet’ (5). Also shown are the masked audience that give witness.
(2) Mekhi’s set up, with the symbol I designed for jealousy.
(3) Da Brat in her box seat set piece, where she metaphorically observes the treachery of deceit.
(4) My concept sketches for the different symbols, representing (from top to bottom): Sexual love; Jealousy; Death (personified); Balcony of the betrayed.
(5) Beyonce Knowles