Sébastien Rongier, a distinguished writer and cinema theorist, has turned his attention to an architectural element that is far from mundane as it might initially appear. His new scholarly essay, "The Spirit of the Staircase: Arts and Steps," presents a comprehensive examination of staircases as portrayed across literature, visual arts, and cinematography, spanning from Alfred Hitchcock's masterful films to contemporary pop culture icons like Lady Gaga.
The work addresses a long-overlooked subject that French writer Georges Perec lamented in 1974 in his book "Species of Spaces," where he noted, "We don't think enough about stairs." Rongier's philosophical approach to art criticism now remedies this oversight, going so far as to suggest that the staircase might well be humanity's greatest invention. This bold assertion forms the foundation of his detailed analysis of this ubiquitous yet underexamined architectural feature.
Rongier's essay deconstructs the multifaceted nature of staircases through careful examination of works spanning multiple artistic mediums. He analyzes how these circular-formed architectural spaces function as transitional elements that "allow passage across the boundaries of interior and exterior, delimiting as much as they connect." The author presents stairs as paradoxical objects that serve as "immutable" fixtures while simultaneously representing constant movement and change.
The comprehensive study draws from an impressive range of cultural references, demonstrating how staircases have served as powerful symbolic and narrative devices across different artistic periods and genres. From the suspenseful sequences in Hitchcock's psychological thrillers to contemporary pop culture representations in Lady Gaga's artistic works, Rongier traces the evolution of how stairs have been utilized to convey meaning, emotion, and narrative progression.
Published by Belles Lettres at a price of 23 euros, the essay represents a significant contribution to art theory and architectural criticism. Rongier's interdisciplinary approach combines philosophical inquiry with practical analysis, offering readers new perspectives on an element of daily life that typically goes unnoticed despite its profound impact on human experience and artistic expression.
