Portland Center Stage | Page 45

LI S A V O LLE FROM THE AMBASSADOR Mind the Design “Good design is making something intelligible and memorable. Great design is making something memorable and meaningful.” - DIETER RAMS Look around you. We are surrounded by design: from the chair you are sitting in to the clothing you wear, from the computer you work on to the pages you read. Design is the interface between you and the material world. Design is everywhere, and sometimes the beauty of it is that when it is well conceived it goes unnoticed. The multi-disciplinary studio Mayer/ Reed makes Third Angle’s branding and marketing material pop. Smart Tech AV creates ideal sound environments for our performances. Robin Greenwood guides the audience’s eyes to the performers and the performers’ eyes to the music with subtle and effective lighting. We are grateful and privileged to work with such talented local designers. On the theatrical and operatic stage, the designers’ work helps to define the tone of a production with sets, costumes and lighting, but even then the performers take the limelight. Designers provide the visual and aural context. A performance production is the work of many hands. As a concert presenter, I can attest that designers are crucial to Third Angle’s look and sound. They’re like the perfect undergarments for a little black dress, unseen but providing essential support. LISA VOLLE 2014-15 ARTSLANDIA AMBASSADOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THIRD ANGLE NEW MUSIC LISA’S TOP FIVE PICKS THE OTHER PLACE Portland Playhouse [MARCH 18– APRIL 12] URBAN BUSH WOMEN White Bird Dance [APRIL 9–11] SECRET LOVE IN PEACH BLOSSOM LAND Oregon Shakespeare Festival [APRIL 15–OCT. 31] SILVE H)Q!IL)Q