Creating Interior Atmosphere: Mise-en-scène and Interior Design

This book sets out to explore the creation of interior atmosphere as seen through the lens of mise-en-scène. You will learn how this film theory informs the concept of ‘staged space’ translated through the narrative and expressive qualities of a particular scene.
Jean Whitehead quickly takes this concept beyond the screen and considers its application to the interior ‘setting’. By learning to use the ingredients that inform an ‘interior’ mise-en-scène such as its backdrop, choice of props, use of special effects alongside the application of colour, pattern, graphics, light and shadow, an immersive atmospheric experience can be created.

Packed with inspiring examples and case studies, ranging from cinematic interiors and art installations, to the work of notable interior designers, stylists and architects with an interior interest, this book broadens current thinking around the design of the decorated interior. It will help you to embrace the concepts that underpin an interior mise-en- scène through the use of softer decorative techniques and concerns.

1. Creating Interior Atmosphere: An Introduction
Introduction
What is Interior Design?
Scope of this book - Interior Design and Mise-en-scène
What is Atmosphere?
Conclusion
Further Reading – Exploring atmosphere

2. What’s in a Room? The Principles of ‘Mise-en-scène’
The Power of the Interior
What is ‘Mise-en-scène?’
What is an ‘Interior’ Mise-en-scène?
Conclusion
Further Reading – Exploring Mise-en-scène

3. The Interior Setting: The Backdrop or ‘Skin’ of the Space
What is an Interior Setting?
What is the physical environment – the skin?
Examples of Interior Mise-en-scène, creating an interior setting
Case Study One: Surface Skin – ‘The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari’, Robert Wiene
Case Study Two: Surface Skin - Rough Luxe Hotel, Rabih Hage
Case Study Three: Manipulated Skin -Strawberry Hill, Horace Walpole
Case Study Four: Layered Skin – ‘Re-Set’, Petra Blaisse
Case Study Five: Three Dimensional Skin - KU64 Kids Club, GRAFT
Conclusion
Further Reading – Exploring the ‘Interior Setting’

4. What is an Interior ‘Prop’? Accessories, furniture, fixtures and equipment
Introducing Interior Props
Using Interior Props
Examples of Interior Mise-en-scène, props and atmosphere
Case Study One: Accessories, furniture and fixtures - The Ace Hotel, Roman and Williams
Case Study Two: Furniture – ‘A Clockwork Orange’, Stanley Kubrick
Case Study Three: Equipment – ‘Break Down’, Michael Landy
Case Study Four: Fixtures- Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre, Frank Gehry
Case Study Five: Props as fixtures - Kesselskramer, FAT
Conclusion
Further Reading – Exploring Interior Props

5. ‘Special Effects’: Interior Space and Experiences
Introducing Interior Special Effects
Special Effects - Perception and Atmosphere
Examples of Interior Mise-en-scèneand their special effects
Case Study One: Implied Space – ‘Dogville’, director Lars von Trier
Case Study Two: Illusory Space - La Maison Champs Elysées, Maison Martin Margiela
Case Study Three: Sensory Space - Fragrance Lab for Selfridges, Campaign, The Future Laboratory and Givauden
Case Study Four: Use of Scale – ‘Citizen Kane’, director Orson Welles
Case Study Five: Sensory Space - Alcoholic Architecture, Bompas & Parr
Conclusion
Further Reading – Considering Special Effects

6. Light and Shadow: Uncovering its Dramatic Role
Introducing Light and Shadow
Lighting and Atmosphere
Examples of Interior Mise-en-scène – using light and shadow
Case Study One: Shadow - ‘Nosferatu’
Case Study Two: Artificial Light – ‘The Weather Project’, Olafur Eliasson
Case Study Three: Natural Light - D.E. Shaw Offices and Co., Steven Holl
Case Study Four: Candle light - Sam Wannamaker Playhouse – Allies & Morrison and Jon Greenfield
Case Study Five: Digital Light - The West Lobby in The Cosmopolitan, Rockwell Group’s LAB
Conclusion
Further Reading – Exploring Light and Shadow

7. Colour: A Technicolor© Inner World
Introducing Colour
Colour and Atmosphere
Examples of Interior Mise-en-scène, using colour
Case study One: Colour – ‘The Cook, the Thief, his Wife and her Lover’, director Peter Greenaway
Case study Two: Colour – Spiegel Publishing Headquarters by Verner Panton
Case study Three: Colour via pattern – ‘Dots Obsession’ by Yayoi Kusama
Case study Four: Colour via graphics – The Hotel by Jean Nouvel
Case study Five: Colour –Wards 23 & 29, Bradford Royal Infirmary
Conclusion
Further Reading – Exploring Colour