THE BLACK SQUARE

Andrej Molotkov – Russia

The Black Square of Kasimir Malevich is one of the most famous creations of Russian art in the last century. The first Black Square was painted in 1915 to become the turning point in the development of Russian avant-garde. Black Square against white background became the symbol, the basic element in the system of the art of suprematism (promoted pure aesthetic creativity). Malevich built up pictures from geometric shapes without reference to observed reality, producing an art that expressed only pure aesthetic feeling rather than with a connection to anything social, political or otherwise. To Malevich the purest form was the square while other elements were rectangles, circles, triangles and the cross. Malevich presented an art of dynamic purity to stir emotions and promote contemplation, and dispense with subject matter. His paintings were carefully constructed with the focus centering on the visual qualities of shape and space, free from the constraints of real world objectivity. Mark Rozovsky's idea for this play originated from his desire to let the audience feel and be confronted with the multiplicity of colors that surround us. To enter a black square in order to discover oneself might turn out to be a useful experience. The text also deals with the communist era generation. What has become of them, how do they think about the past today? Do they like the present or feel misplaced because of the past?

Duration: 70 minutes (without a break)

Language: Russian

Sunday, 09.03., 16.00, STUDIO IM SCHAUSPIELHAUS