Nature & Purpose NYC Reviews and Tickets

69%

(26 Ratings)

Positive

73%

Mixed

19%

Negative

Members say

Edgy, Ambitious, Thought-provoking, Quirky, Confusing

About the Show

An exploration of the idea of ‘art’ as seen through the works of two radical creators, with two short works, focusing on abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock and the controversial performance artist Chris Burden.

'Pollock: A Frequency Parable' is a 30 minute avant operatic sound performance piece inspired by famed painter Jackson Pollock. The play re-conceptualizes key elements used in Pollock’s revolutionary style of art making — such as energy, motion, scale, and improvisation — presenting a challenge to both the performer and the audience to free the voice from the confines of form and language, allowing it to transcend tradition and be experienced for its potential.

'A Beast/A Burden' combines contemporary theatrical staging with recreations of some of Burden’s most controversial and exciting multimedia and performance pieces, chronicling the life of the young artist, with Burden himself serving as the meandering and sometimes unreliable narrator of his own story.

Show-Score Member Reviews (26)

82%

Great acting, Intelligent, Absorbing

See it if you are interested in art, avant-garde, wonder what art is and what purpose it should have. You like smart and thought provoking productions

Don't see it if you need elaborate staging, big cast, easy entertainment. Read more

77%

Edgy, Confusing, Clever, Funny

See it if You like weird theater that treads the line between interesting and so bad it’s good. Usually funny shows that explore art in a fun way.

Don't see it if You like plot and are bothered by at times a lack of clarity if intent. Is it serious, is it a farce? This play might be a disaster or not.

75%

Entertaining, Quirky, Indulgent

See it if you like performance art and quirky, but cleverly written, ensemble hijinks.

Don't see it if you dislike performance art or experimental theater. Read more

72%

Clever, Edgy, Entertaining, Thought-provoking, Quirky

See it if you enjoy performance art, these pieces based on artists and their works offer great vocalizing to interesting music and video & tense acts.

Don't see it if you are seeking a play - there is minimal acting here as this is new interpretation of artist works.

70%

Polarizing, Edgy, Artsy, Ambitious

See it if you want to see 2 well-executed multi-media performance art pieces celebrating the work of experimental/influential artists Pollack & Burden

Don't see it if you don't appreciate radical, unconventional, experimental performance art; you are not interested in the question, "What is art?" Read more

70%

Confusing, Disappointing, Edgy, Dizzying

See it if Two art show very different from the norm. One with sounds to music. Second is about the artist past art show.

Don't see it if you are not opened mind, or if you like normal. Read more

70%

Funny, Great acting, Ambitious

See it if ..you have any interest in art, especially in Chris Burden, his performance art, and pursuit of the question “what is art”. Fascinating!

Don't see it if Both plays were well acted. The first portion was way too loud, and except for the video, had no apparent relationship to Jackson Pollock.

70%

Ambitious, Confusing, Great staging, Indulgent, Thought-provoking

See it if You're familiar w/the work of Pollack & Burden. You enjoy alternative storytelling. You like plays about process. You like multi-media work.

Don't see it if You like linear, traditional storytelling. You want a biography or explanation of the artists' work. You dislike multi-media pieces. Read more

Trailer

Creative team