The 12th sensational season of Reactor opened with excitement this September with a brilliant premiere by director Leta Popescu – the wonderful show "Tulips, Birds, and Concrete," which delightfully weaves together stories from several contemporary Romanian writers. Bogdan Spătaru worked his magic on the set design for this show, and we joyfully asked him to share some insights about this lovely project and his passion for set design!

What excites you most when you begin working on a new show? 

I am absolutely fascinated by how I can bring a space to life! I don't see set design as mere decoration, but as an interactive installation. The scenic space truly comes alive with the actors; without them, it's just waiting for its spark. The entire design is beautifully completed by the actors' bodies, so I always start by imagining what wonderful visual magic can happen in the playing area, right in that special interaction between actor, space, and our fantastic audience.

What is it that you love to explore?

I love exploring the beautiful visual harmony between materials and the human body, the wonderful relationship the set or installation can have with the theater hall, and how it shapes the spectator's experience. I believe that every single show beautifully creates its own language and friendly code of understanding, including playful conventions that can evolve throughout the performance!

Is there anything keeping you inspired or focused in your set design work lately? 

My focus is all about capturing a beautiful purity and unity of visual language. I love to make sure every single detail on stage serves the show perfectly, even though the creative journey sometimes takes us on fun little detours along the way!

How did the wonderful creative process go for designing Tulips, Birds, and Concrete? What inspired you? 

I was wonderfully inspired by many different stories—some made it into the final show, and some are kept as secret treasures!

The project's theme—change—was also a huge source of inspiration. I saw change as an exciting, irreversible journey, much like the idea of entropy in physics. At the same time, having worked with Leta for several wonderful years, we share a favorite theme: cozy spaces and platforms! This show at Reactor connects beautifully with "AER" at the Metropolis Theater, where the actresses perform on a tiny, shiny two-square-meter stainless steel platform, and with "Lirda" at the Comedy Theater, set on a narrow wooden platform. For artistic inspiration, I joyfully looked to Carl Andre and Peter Pabst.

You have wonderful experience in both state and independent theaters, and this is your very first collaboration with Reactor. Does your creative role change when working in the independent scene?

Oh, absolutely! In independent theater, the energy is wonderfully streamlined. There is no heavy bureaucracy. Instead, there is a fabulous, open playground to experiment, try new things, make happy mistakes, adapt, and bring ideas to full, beautiful life!

How do you hope the audience will receive this show? What would you love to stir in the hearts of the theatergoers?

Pure emotion, warm empathy, and a wonderful sense of aesthetic joy!

The show "Tulips, Birds, and Concrete" was happily created within the multi-annual program "Metamorphic – collective processes."

A cultural program co-funded with joy by the Administration of the National Cultural Fund.

The program does not necessarily represent the official position of the Administration of the National Cultural Fund. AFCN is not responsible for the content of the program or how the results of the program may be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the beneficiary of the funding.

Project proudly realized with the support of the Cluj-Napoca City Hall and Local Council.

Partner: UNITER, through the theatrical stamp funds.

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