Dr Jacek Ludwig Scarso is Reader in Art and Performance at the School of Art, Architecture and Design (AAD). He is the Course Leader of MA Public Art & Performative Practices, Deputy Director of CREATURE (Research Centre for Creative Arts, Cultures & Engagement) and PhD Admission Tutor for Art. He is a University Teaching Fellow and also teaches on the BA Theatre & Performance and BA Theatre & Film.
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Jacek Ludwig Scarso
Alongside his work in public and interdisciplinary art, he has developed an extensive portfolio of theatre work through his performance company Elastic Theatre recognised by several major arts awards by funding bodies such as the Wellcome Trust and Jerwood Foundation. Jacek’s work with Elastic Theatre was also the subject of the PhD awarded to him in 2014.
Course Leader on Public Art & Performative Practices MA
Tutor on Theatre & Performance BA and Theatre & Film BA
Deputy Director of CREATURE (Research Centre for Creative Arts, Cultures and Engagement)
Member of the REF Panel for UoA32
Research interests and of PhD supervision:
Recent Publications
Making theatre elastic: a practice-led PhD on performance research with Elastic Theatre, focusing on the body of work produced between 2005 and 2011
Supervisors:
Lucy Richardson
Abstract from Dr Jacek Ludwig Scarso's full thesis:
The present discussion is based on my performance research with Elastic Theatre (originally named Vocal Motions and also known as Vocal Motions Elastic Theatre), a company that I founded and have directed since 2001. A specific focus is placed on the body of work produced between 2005 and 2011, which comprises six performance outputs: Ophelia’s Song (2005-2006), Medea Made Medea (2007), The Magdalene Mysteries (2008), Medousa (2009), The Passion of Saints Sergius and Bacchus (2009) and Baroccata/Baroque Box (2010-2011). These productions have been informed by an overriding ethos, which is presented and reflected upon in the following chapters. I refer to such ethos by using the term elasticity, which I define in the Introduction, contextualising this within the broader spectrum of contemporary tendencies in performance practices, with particular reference to the notion of 'post-dramatic theatre'.
This concept of elasticity is presented in relation to three aspects of my productions: respectively, the combination of performance disciplines (Chapter 1), the dramaturgical approach (Chapter 2) and the staging choices made (Chapter 3). Across these chapters, I provide a contextual overview of the aspect treated, a discussion of my methodology in relation to this, and a reflection on my findings, referring to the concept of 'liminality'. My Conclusion draws my reflections together, emphasising the original contribution that my work has represented in the field of contemporary performance.
Each of my outputs is documented in the Appendices, through written, photographic and video material. The Appendices also include a chronological overview of the productions discussed, a summary/glossary of my methodological strategies and a brief presentation of the company’s history.
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British Council Hong Kong, Inside Out: Public Art & Wellbeing (2024)
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Rescaling Funding, London Met (2022)
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Future Now, Aesthetica Prize Anthology selection (2021
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Future Now, Aesthetica Prize Anthology selection (2020)
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Research Award, AAD (2019)
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University Honorary Teaching Fellowship, London Met (2018)
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Research Award, AAD (2018)
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Streetplayer Selection, Axisweb (2018)
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Research Award, AAD (2017)
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Professional Award, London Metropolitan University (2015)
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Arts Award for Public Engagement, Wellcome Trust (2012-13)
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Fringe Report Award (2012)
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Arts Award, Jerwood Charitable Foundation (2012)
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Arts Award for Public Engagement, Wellcome Trust (2010-2011)
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Greenwich+Docklands International Festival Commission (2011)
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Research Funding Award, London Metropolitan University (2010)
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Research Funding Award, London Metropolitan University (2009)
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The Facility: Performance as Research Grant (2009)
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The Facility: Performance as Research Grant (2007)
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The Facility: Performance as Research Grant (2006)
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RomaEuropa/Enzimi Commission (2001)
- Senior Curator at Fondazione Marta Czok in Rome and Venice
- Trustee of The Line (London's first dedicated Public Art walk)
- Senior Advisor for City Space Architecture
- Research Associate for Museo Spazio Pubblico in Bologna
- Collaborating Artist for Anise Gallery in London
- Member of the Steering Committee of the Public Space Academy
- Member of the British Art Network
- Editorial Board Member of Journal of Urban Design and Planning (URDP)
Dr Jacek Ludwig Scarso
Reader in Art and Performance
- IAm Festival di Filosofia (2024)
- Raffaello visita le Carceri di Salerno (2023)
- Venice Design Week (2022, 2023)
- Invited curator/contributor for the exhibitions INNOCENTIA and URBE by Marta Czok at the Italian Parliament (Complesso di Vicolo Valdina and Palazzo Montecitorio) supported by Ministero della Cultura with the Patronage of the Polish Embassy in Rome (January and April/May 2024)
- Invited international auditor for MA Performing Public Space, Fontys University Netherlands in 2022
- Research Fellow at RMIT University, Melbourne (2022)
