Kazimir Malevich, Suprematist Composition: White on White, 1918, at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
The play 'Art', written originally in French by Yasmina Reza (1994) opened in Cyprus last week. In the play, when Serge - one of the three characters (Marc and Yvan are the other two) - buys a 'white' painting for an astronomical prize, questions about what counts as art and what doesn't, as much as about the meanings and interpretations of artworks, surface parallel issues on the limits and expectations relevant to friendship. The white canvas beyond illustrating the wider challenges on the concept of art, historically situated in the beginnings of the twentieth century, becomes here an empty surface upon which several readings and writings are tried out. Readings regarding the possible meanings of the work, of art and especially of the art market, but also writings about the ways in which friendship can be challenged, maintained and re-shaped based on individual expectations. How much are you defined by your friends and how neutral are one's opinions and tastes? How much can you shape or expect to shape your friends? How much are we do expect to have the same ideas and share the same values with the people who choose to be friends with? 'ART' was such an exciting play, relevant to out times and reflecting broader philosophical issues.
A conversation with actors Alan Alda, Victor Garber and Alfred Molina about the play 'Art' on Broadway, a HERE
