Antoni Ramon Graells

Antoni Ramon Graells is an architect with a doctorate from the ETSAB School of Architecture in Barcelona, where he is a full professor in the Department of Theory and History of Architecture. He is also a lecturer and researcher at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia.

His areas of expertise are architectural theory and theatrical architecture. It is precisely in the latter field that he directs the Observatorio de Espacios Escénicos (OEE) - Observatory of Endangered Theatres. The OEE, which develops cultural activities and multidisciplinary research in the fields of performing arts, architecture and urban planning, was set up in 2007 as part of the Quadrennial of Architecture and Scenography in Prague, where the International Observatory of Endangered Theatres was awarded the Diploma of Honour in the Architecture and Technology section, and in 2012 the Serra d'Or Critics' Prize for the best contribution of the year.

Involvement in collaborative projects: European project "CANON of Technical Theatre History" (2019-2022), AGAUR-funded project "Barcelona Fragile City" (2021-2022), MINECO state programme focused on societal challenges: Observatory of Scenic Spaces: Theatrical Mapping: Spain (2016-2020).

The project

Title: Observatoire des Espaces Scéniques: Theatrical Atlas of Paris

The research being carried out in Paris aims to deepen our knowledge of and cartographic representation of the theatrical space in the contemporary city. The main outcome of the work will be a collaboration on a theatrical atlas of Paris, which is one of the research areas of the Architecture, City and Culture (ACC) research group at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia.

The contribution of the project is to approach the object of study at different scales, introducing into the corpus of the atlas a zoom encompassing the urban, architectural and scenic dimensions of the theatrical site, understood in the broadest sense. The design of this atlas must describe a sequence that begins by locating the theatre on the map, continues with a presentation of its architecture and ends, in some cases, with an exhibition of the scenic creation that is represented there. City, architecture and stage space are thus linked, marking the cross-disciplinary nature of the research.

On an urban scale, the cartography consists of a collection of maps, some historical and others of the contemporary situation, which interpret the relationship between the theatre, the theatres and the city, and map out the theatrical system of a city.

On an architectural scale, the cartography provides a set of files on the architecture of theatrical spaces, whether theatres or buildings recycled for stage activity. The documentation gathered will be very useful for the development of built heritage by public administrations and cultural industries.

On a more strictly performative scale, the cartography will make it possible to 'enter' some of the scenic spaces in the cartography to contemplate the works that are or have been staged there. This cartography will be accessible on the Observatorio de Espacios Escénicos website.

Hosting institution: École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture Paris-La Villette

Impact and scientific output

During his stay in Paris, Antoni Ramon was able to make new contacts and enrich his research on the cartography of Parisian theaters.

Link to the Observatoire des Espaces Scénétiques website: Atlas section / France / Paris.

“The Atlas presents a historical sequence of successive periods in the history of the theatrical venue in Paris, from the first premises of the Confrères de la Passion de Notre Seigneur to the present day. On each of the maps, based on a map of Paris at the time, existing theaters are located, and each can open a card containing information on its history and various graphic documents: drawings, paintings, photographs and plans.

To date, the following periods have been covered: 1402-1680 / 1680-1790 / 1791-1807 / 1807-1815 / 1816-1861 / 1862-1912. The following periods remain to be completed: 1913-1967 / 1968-2024. Once this first phase of the work is complete, I will attempt to write explanatory texts for each period and a more general essay on the relationship between theater, theaters and the city.”

Selective Bibliography

• Ramon, A.; Aloy, G.; De Blas gómez, Felisa; López , A.; Prieto, J.; Villarreal, C. Cartografías teatrales en España: ensayo de interpretación. Ciudad y territorio, estudios territoriales. 2022. Volumen: 54. Número: 211. Págs.: 77 ~ 96. <https://doi.org/10.37230/CyTET.2022.211.5>
• Ramon, A.; Barcena, L. La isla y el archipiélago: la casa del Odin teatret en Holstebro. Acotaciones. Investigación y creación teatral. 2020. Volumen: 45. Págs.: 137 ~ 162. <https://doi.org/10.32621/ACOTACIONES.2020.45.05>
• Ramon, A.; Prieto Lopez, Juan Ignacio; Alcázar, T. Les cités du théâtre. Des acteurs de rénovation urbaine et des "espaces autres". Revue d'histoire du théatre. 2019. Volumen: 2019-IV. Número: 284. Págs.: 125 ~ 141. <http://hdl.handle.net/2117/179883>
• Ramon, A.; Granell, E. Domènech i Barcelona: arquitecte i "urbanista". Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Home de la Renaixença. Arquitecte del Modernisme. 2023. Págs.: 38 ~ 47. ISBN: Me 784-2023. <www.triangle.cat>
• Ramon, A. De l'escenari a la ciutat: l'arquitectura del Liceu. Societat del Gran Teatre del Liceu. un recorregut a través del seu Arxiu Històric. Huygens. 2022. Págs.: 20 ~ 39. ISBN: 978-84-17580-32-2.