interventions: Leafless Tree
Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett
Act I Vladimir and Estragon spend a night lying in a ditch and are beaten by a couple of other men. The next morning they are seen standing under a leafless tree where they talk strangely together. They are waiting for a man named Godot. There is a great deal of uncertainty as are not sure whether Godot will show up are not even aware as to whether they have met Godot. Another two men appear, Pozzo along with his slave Lucky. Pozzo and Lucky are on their way to a market where Pozzo plans to sell Lucky, but they pause to interact with Vladimir and Estragon. Pozzo commands Lucky to “Think! and Lucky’s response is to dance and perform a monologue. The monologue consists of unconnected academic phrases combined with odd sounds. The monologue seems to hold meanings that support the underlying themes of the play. At any rate, Pozzo and Lucky then depart. A messenger from Godot arrives and explains to Vladimir and Estragon that Godot will not be arriving and will arrive tomorrow. Vladimir asks further Godot, and the boy then departs. Vladimir and Estragon decide that they will also leave, but they make no effort to do so as the curtain falls.
Act II The following night Vladimir and Estragon are at the tree waiting for Godot. Lucky and Pozzo reappear, but now Pozzo has become blind and Lucky has become dumb. Pozzo can’t recall having met Vladimir and Estragon the previous night. Lucky and Pozzo exit, as Vladimir and Estragon go on waiting. Soon, the boy again arrives and states that Godot will not be coming. The boy claims that he didn’t talk to Vladimir yesterday. The boy exits. Vladimir and Estragon consider suicide, but they don’t have a rope. They decide to leave, but again they remain as the curtain falls on the final act.
unsanctioned intervention, New York, NY, 2021.
Gesso, oil stick, pencil, human hair, archival ink, Fabriano paper(23 X15 inches)
