'Installations' explores definition of art

"Installations," a Dark Alley one-act production brought to town by the Bloomington Playwrights Project, offers campus community members the opportunity to witness a multimedia canvas of installation art performed on a theatrical stage. The art piece, written by Erynn Miles and directed by Cory Aiello, presents an interpersonal dilemma within a murder art duo hidden behind the comfort and security of their artisan masks.\nNathaniel, played by Todd Aiello, and Sera Lyn, played by Annie Kerkian, embark on an artistic crusade to paint their neighborhood with blood in the name of "art." An award-winning journalist named Liz Clark, played by Hannah Smith, commits herself to exposing the truth behind their murderous rampage. "Installations" blends recorded audio, a slide show of photography, live movement and a trio of acting talent to produce a maddening surreal portrait of artists determined to lead an artistic movement of murder and mayhem. \nAlthough the actual premise is somewhat unbelievable, "Installations" presents eager artisan talent gaining invaluable acting experience in a play on a stage in a theatre. Miles and Cory Aiello's installation art piece, considering the mass murdering circumstances, highlights the complex duality some artists experience balancing the demands of work within a definable ethical structure.\nSimilar to the uncomfortable sexual tension between Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway in the 1967 film "Bonnie and Clyde," Nathaniel and Sera Lyn's violence toward one another is driven by the woman's desire for unobtainable masculine compassion. Todd Aiello's portrayal of Nathaniel, although a difficult character to play because the role is that of a complete madman who hides his real self from everyone including himself, is somewhat obtrusive to the show's overall ensemble of dialogue and activity. \nKerkian's portrayal of Sera Lyn is superb considering her character fluctuates from a mass murderer into a reformed appreciator of life and a god's given circumstances by play's end. In addition, her ability to slip from kindness to desperation to anger throughout the show is noteworthy. \nCory Aiello's direction is that of an artisan and his production deserves attention as an art installation standing on its own. "Installations" should receive judgment as an art piece rather than a pure theatrical spectacle to prevent audience disapproval and confusion.\n"What is art?" the play asks of the audience. Therefore, a compassionate crowd might applaud the genuine effort and community sharing highlighted by a local cast driving a local play written by a local playwright, which is typical of most Dark Alley BPP productions.\nUnlike Thelma and Louise in Ridley Scott's 1991 film, Nathaniel and Sera Lyn remind all Bloomington residents and guests that every human life is always worth more than murder art. "Installations" requests the audience question art at the expense of public opinion about the show because posing the question of "what is art?" suggests any particular art piece possesses worth only through the eternal subjective mind of the art receiver. \nThis transaction dissects all art to ambiguous irrelevance, dependent upon individual approval about a particular art piece's extrinsic value to the social realm at any particular time. Art is further reduced to the modern condition of intrinsic human judgment. \nAudience members possessing an open mind and extra time can pick up a coupon for half-off admission at the Soma Coffee House, 322 E. Kirkwood Ave. "Installations" continues Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. in the BPP's Lora Shiner Studio. Regular admission is $6.