The Pioneer Times

Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: Top Stories

Media Credit: Christina Hoffman In this photo: Dan Salvatore, Joe Miloscia, Luke Kurter

Is a white canvas really blank? Could there really be a meaning behind something that has no color or shape? Can a painting be objective when its only color is white? Despite it all, is this the only way to judge what a piece of art really is if there is a journey that is completed by the artist?

These are the questions that were pondered in Yasmina Reza's "Art," presented by University Theatre, which played the Hunziker Black Box Theater Feb. 26-March 1. Communication department professor Jerry Beal directed "Art," which featured Dan Salvatore, Luke Kurter and Joe Miloscia.

"Art" revolves around a painting purchased by Serge, played by Luke Kurter. This painting is not like many other paintings; the canvas, 3' x 4', is blank and white on white. While Serge is convinced that there is a reason behind this piece of art and a reason why the artist created such a piece, Serge's friends think otherwise.

Marc, played by Dan Salvatore, is dumbfounded as to why his friend would pay such a high price forsuch a thing Marc cannot fathom what meaning Serge sees in the white canvas. Serge's other friend, Yvan, played by Joe Miloscia, is the middle-ground for the two extreme feelings felt by his friends. Yvan laughs about the absurdity of the painting with Marc, but tries to understand the painting while he is with Serge. Ultimately, the friendship between the three men is forever changed as they cannot agree on what the meaning is behind this "modern"-if there is not a word more profound than that- painting.

Kurter, Salvatore, and Miloscia each played their parts with great emotion. With several monologues - a long speech spoken by a single actor - the dialogue and high tensions are not easy for any actor to portray. Kurter worked hard to give Serge's earnest argument validity. Salvatore convincingly portrayed a man who cannot see past what he is right in front of him. Miloscia was hilarious as the comic relief and peacemaker of the group of men.

The production of "Art" has since ended. The journey that the three characters took to further understand the white painting and their relationship is similar to the journey an artist takes to create art. Unlike the artist of the white canvas, whose intentions are questionable, this journey of self-discovery in friendship is obvious and nicely portrayed.

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