Ecrits, vol. 2 - 1970-1998

This two-volume edition of Jerzy Grotowski’s writings traces the intellectual journey of a major artist of the second half of the 20th century, from 1954 to 1998.

Following his early career in Opole and then at the Laboratory Theatre in Wrocław – notably through his research into ‘poor theatre’ – Jerzy Grotowski announced in 1970 that he would no longer direct productions. He then entered a post-theatrical phase, centred on human encounter, the origins of techniques in the history of world theatre, and the ecological relationship with the environment: ‘paratheatre’ (1970–1978) and the ‘Theatre of Sources’ (1976–1982). In 1982, he left Poland following the coup d’état and the imposition of martial law and settled in the United States, where he founded the Objective Drama Programme at the University of California, Irvine (1983–1986). Following this period in the US, he went on to develop the concept of ‘art as a vehicle’ (1986–1999) at his Workcenter in Pontedera, Italy.
In 1997, a chair in Theatrical Anthropology at the Collège de France was created especially for him – his inaugural lecture was held at the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, Peter Brook’s theatre, and is published here for the first time. The writings collected in this second volume represent the culmination of a lifetime’s work as a tireless researcher, bearing witness to a mind that was constantly in motion.

Edited by Mario Biagini, in collaboration with Michelle Kokosowski.