SPACE SEMIOTICS – THE MYSTERY OF SPACE
Stage design is for me a kind of philosophy, written with form, color and image instead of words – I was always fascinated with idea, that spacial concepts represent a certain understanding of the world. Scenography defines persona played by the actor, just like space defines us as the people – geometry organizes the Universe, brings it for us out of the chaos and leads us towards harmony and comprehension of being.
I started to work as a stage designer while I was still studying theatre science, where I was particularly interested in semiotics and cognitive aspect of theatre theory. During my stage design studies, I rediscovered geometry, which has since become for me an unfailing source of inspiration. Perhaps that is why scenography stays for me always between art and science. I strive to combine those two factors in my work, and I try to remember, that in order to successfully communicate with the audience I need to know the language of the form and operate it also on a deeper, subconscious level.
BIO
• 2006 – 2011: University of Applied Arts Vienna, Stage Design Class (Diploma in 2011, Prof. Bernhard Kleber)
• 2000 – 2006: Jagiellonian University, Theater Science and Polish Philology (Master’s thesis in 2007, Prof. Ewa Miodonska–Brookes)
• 2003 – 2004: School of Artistic Costume Design, Kraków
• 2005 – 2006: Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Hatha Yoga Teacher Training
• 1988 – 1994: Bronisław Rutkowski Music School Kraków, piano class
PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS
Space semiotics and geometry, poetic theatre, Dogma movement, archetypes and collective unconscious (C.G. Jung), symbolism, culture anthropolgy, indigenous cultures and their art;
INTERESTS & HOBBYS
3D design and construction, yoga, mountaineering, enduro MTB and high alpine mountain biking, cross-country skiing and ski touring, traveling, astrophotography and astronomy, playing instruments and composing music, 432Hz music, tattoo design, photography;
WHAT I DO
• production design, art direction, stage design, set decoration, costume design
• interior design
• design of shop windows, stages for events, concert-stages, fashion shows
• technical design of scenography (technical drawings, 3D visualizations and animations, virtual scenography)
• photography and editing of images, fiilmstills photography
• videoart, video editing
IN PRODUCTION
2027 – The God of the Beasts – feature film, Iconoclast Films & Madants, production design: Verena Barros de Oliveira & Joanna Piestrzyńska;
2026 – Der Salzburg Krimi: Tango – feature film, Mona Film, Tivoli & ARD, production design: Joanna Piestrzyńska;
2026 – Die Landarztpraxis – TV Series, Filmpool Entertainment GmbH & SAT1, art direction: Joanna Piestrzyńska;
IN POSTPRODUCTION
2025 – The invisible Witness – feature film, EPO Film & ITV Studios Germany, art direction: Joanna Piestrzyńska;
REVIVAL PRODUCTIONS
2027 – La Traviata, Berlin State Opera; stage directing: Dieter Dorn, stage design: Joanna Piestrzyńska, costume design: Moidele Bickel;
REFERENCES
Mona Film GmbH
Filmpool Entertainment
EPO Film
ITV Studios Germany
Lieblingsfilm
DOR Film
ZDF
Moovie
Constantin Films
Syrreal Enterteinment
Syrreal Dogs
RTL2
CBS Studios
ARD Degeto
SAT 1
Arbor Films
Lucky Bird Pictures
Enter Film
Tempus Film
FAK Vienna
WSF Warsaw
Le Fresnoy France
Lapama
Inkubator Kultury
Wajda Film School
Props SC
WRiTV Katowice
University of Applied Arts Vienna
Ken Leee
Infinity Group
Junger Film
Grossproduktion
Jewel Labs
Berlin State Opera
Podlasie Oper and Philharmonic
Akzent Theatre Vienna
City Theatre Mödling
Stadttheater Bruck an der Leitha
Schlosstheater Schönbrunn
Juliusz Slowacki Theatre Cracow
Hirschberg City Theatre
National Old Theatre Cracow
Opelln Amphitheater
Music Theatre Forte
Gastspiele Fürth
Stadttheater Fürth
Stadtsaal Hollabrunn
Stadtgallery Mödling
TU Open Air Stage
VHS Brigittenau
Teatro
Rabauki
Marschalls Office Voivoidship Podlaskie
Arena Classica
City Theatre Mödling
Arena Classica
MDW Vienna
UJ Theatre Workshop
PAN Vienna
Props SC
Opinion Leaders Network
University of Applied Arts Vienna
Jagiellonian University
all rights reserved
Vienna 2025
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
ALL PHOTOGRAPHS on the website and any other site under the www.scenicdesign.org domain are the property of Joanna Piestrzynska and are protected by European Union and International copyright laws. All copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property rights in this site, are the property of Joanna Piestrzynska. Any publication, copying, posting on social media and any other use (private or commercial) is forbidden und will be a cause for a legal action.