The Lost Conversation: Interviews with an Enduring Avant-Garde

In this collection of interviews, Sara Farrington highlights lost conversations about class, race, difficulty, endurance, and privilege in the New York avant-garde of the past fifty years, as well as the ephemerality and urgency of the medium itself.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 180 pages
Publication date: 07 July 2022
Publisher: 53rd State Press

In this captivating collection of interviews conducted between 2019 and 2021 with New York theater artists who have dedicated their lives to working in and inventing the avant-garde, playwright Sara Farrington unveils a series of lost conversations that shed light on the complex dynamics of class, race, difficulty, endurance, and privilege within the New York avant-garde over the past fifty years. Moreover, these conversations delve into the fleeting nature of the medium itself, emphasizing its constant state of vulnerability and the imminent threat of its disappearance. The Lost Conversation features insightful dialogues with a diverse range of artists, including Joanne Akalaitis, Anne Bogart, Lee Breuer, Ping Chong, Richard Foreman, Andre Gregory, Deborah Hay, Bill T. Jones, Adrienne Kennedy, Lola Pashalinksi, Jennifer Tipton, Kate Valk, Mac Wellman, and Robert Wilson. These artists offer profound insights into their experiences and perspectives, providing a rich tapestry of narratives that shed light on the evolution and significance of the avant-garde.

Furthermore, The Lost Conversation serves as a poignant record of the avant-garde's past and a stark reminder of its urgent present. The interviews capture the passion, dedication, and resilience of these artists, who have tirelessly pushed the boundaries of artistic expression and challenged societal norms. They offer a glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of those who have dedicated their lives to the avant-garde, reminding us of the importance of preserving and celebrating this unique artistic tradition.

In conclusion, The Lost Conversation is a remarkable exploration of the complexities and challenges of the New York avant-garde, offering a valuable insight into the lives and work of these visionary artists. Through these lost conversations, we gain a deeper understanding of the avant-garde's past, present, and potential future, and are inspired to continue to support and celebrate this vital artistic movement.

Dimension: 190 x 139 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781732545281