Articulating the Arts:
A Thousand Words Articulating the Arts is based on the idea of artists being inspired by other artists and other forms of art. So, we asked the people participating in AtA a few questions about their adventures with the art world. Here's what they had to say!
March 17th & 18th - 8pm a guest production at Theatrelab, 357 West 36th Street |
Interviewing the Artists

David Palmer Brown, Actor: Natural Selection - based upon Monet's "Water Lilies"
Have you ever done a museum "no-no," like talk on your cell, sneaking in food, touching a piece of art, or making-out in a museum?
I don’t think I’ve ever done a museum no-no . . . though I have put my arms around someone I found much more inviting to look at than a Degas.
If you could live in any NYC museum which one would you live in?
I don’t know the museums here well enough, though I’d certainly pick one that didn’t charge me to get in every time. That would be almost as expensive as rent.
What play would make a good painting? Why?
Sunday in the Park with George. I don’t think I’d have to explain why it would make a good painting.
Is there an artist or work that brings out a strong emotion in you?
Well, Munch and Van Gogh come to mind, but actually, the work of a friend of mine always elicits as strong response.
Have you ever done a museum "no-no," like talk on your cell, sneaking in food, touching a piece of art, or making-out in a museum?
I don’t think I’ve ever done a museum no-no . . . though I have put my arms around someone I found much more inviting to look at than a Degas.
If you could live in any NYC museum which one would you live in?
I don’t know the museums here well enough, though I’d certainly pick one that didn’t charge me to get in every time. That would be almost as expensive as rent.
What play would make a good painting? Why?
Sunday in the Park with George. I don’t think I’d have to explain why it would make a good painting.
Is there an artist or work that brings out a strong emotion in you?
Well, Munch and Van Gogh come to mind, but actually, the work of a friend of mine always elicits as strong response.

Jill Bianchini, Actor - The Virgin, based on Klimt's "The Virgin"
Have you ever done a museum "no-no," like talk on your cell, sneaking in food, touching a piece of art, or making-out in a museum?
When I was a little girl I was very mischievous. I jumped inside an exhibit in order to frighten my friends. It's a little fuzzy, but a coffin may or may not have been involved...
If you could be a character in any painting who would you be?
Female Figure with Head of Flowers by Dali. A copy of this painting hung in my parents' house and my mother always said it reminded her of me.
What play would make a good painting? Why?
Fool for Love. Motel in the middle of nowhere, desert, beauty in exile, you ain't a cowboy you ain't shit...
Have you ever done a museum "no-no," like talk on your cell, sneaking in food, touching a piece of art, or making-out in a museum?
When I was a little girl I was very mischievous. I jumped inside an exhibit in order to frighten my friends. It's a little fuzzy, but a coffin may or may not have been involved...
If you could be a character in any painting who would you be?
Female Figure with Head of Flowers by Dali. A copy of this painting hung in my parents' house and my mother always said it reminded her of me.
What play would make a good painting? Why?
Fool for Love. Motel in the middle of nowhere, desert, beauty in exile, you ain't a cowboy you ain't shit...

Akia, Director - Old Man in Sorrow, based on Van Gogh's "Old Man in Sorrow"
Have you ever done a museum "no-no," like talk on your cell, sneaking in food, touching a piece of art, or making-out in a museum?
My favorite musuem "no no", was at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I jumped over a exhibit barricade so that I could touch Madonna's infamous Cone Costume.
If you could live in any NYC museum which one would you live in?
The Met, in the Egypt section !
If you could be a character in any painting who would you be?
The woman in Van Gogh's "Haystack paintings." I love the image of just sleeping in a pile of hay.
What play would make a good painting? Why?
The Crucible. I think it has so many interesting themes and scenery inherent in it.
How has working on this play changed how you feel about the painting it's based on?
I wasn't familiar with this particular painting beforehand, and Van Gogh is one of my favorite painters, so just happy to be exposed to something new!
Is there an artist or work that brings out a strong emotion in you?
I really love all of the Impressionists - Toulouse Lautrec, Degas, Casset - I love the imagery. I would have loved to live in Paris in that era.
Have you ever done a museum "no-no," like talk on your cell, sneaking in food, touching a piece of art, or making-out in a museum?
My favorite musuem "no no", was at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I jumped over a exhibit barricade so that I could touch Madonna's infamous Cone Costume.
If you could live in any NYC museum which one would you live in?
The Met, in the Egypt section !
If you could be a character in any painting who would you be?
The woman in Van Gogh's "Haystack paintings." I love the image of just sleeping in a pile of hay.
What play would make a good painting? Why?
The Crucible. I think it has so many interesting themes and scenery inherent in it.
How has working on this play changed how you feel about the painting it's based on?
I wasn't familiar with this particular painting beforehand, and Van Gogh is one of my favorite painters, so just happy to be exposed to something new!
Is there an artist or work that brings out a strong emotion in you?
I really love all of the Impressionists - Toulouse Lautrec, Degas, Casset - I love the imagery. I would have loved to live in Paris in that era.

Eric Siegel, Director, The Exhibition, based on Vermeer's "Girl with Pearl Earring."
Have you ever done a museum "no-no," like talk on your cell, sneaking in food, touching a piece of art, or making-out in a museum?
Oh yes. Nothing finer than a late-evening tour of the Met's Egyptian wing with your trusty hip flask of Kentucky bourbon.
If you could be a character in any painting who would you be?
The rider on horseback in Rockwell Kent's "This Is My Own" ... probably a self-portrait of the artist at his Aasgard Dairy Farm in Ausable Forks, NY
What play would make a good painting? Why?
There is a contemporary painting by R. Kenton Nelson depicting a boy and a girl going up a hill carrying a pail which they hope to fill with water. The circumstances surrounding this ominous event bear further examination and exploration.
How has working on this play changed how you feel about the painting it's based on?
The character of Jillinda, her real or or imagined intersection with Jackie Kennedy, and Vermeer's girl made me consider all the people, famous or not, that we only briefly cast our eyes on thinking we know what they are about. But they have inner lives and dialogues we can never fully know.
Have you ever done a museum "no-no," like talk on your cell, sneaking in food, touching a piece of art, or making-out in a museum?
Oh yes. Nothing finer than a late-evening tour of the Met's Egyptian wing with your trusty hip flask of Kentucky bourbon.
If you could be a character in any painting who would you be?
The rider on horseback in Rockwell Kent's "This Is My Own" ... probably a self-portrait of the artist at his Aasgard Dairy Farm in Ausable Forks, NY
What play would make a good painting? Why?
There is a contemporary painting by R. Kenton Nelson depicting a boy and a girl going up a hill carrying a pail which they hope to fill with water. The circumstances surrounding this ominous event bear further examination and exploration.
How has working on this play changed how you feel about the painting it's based on?
The character of Jillinda, her real or or imagined intersection with Jackie Kennedy, and Vermeer's girl made me consider all the people, famous or not, that we only briefly cast our eyes on thinking we know what they are about. But they have inner lives and dialogues we can never fully know.

Marguerite Forrest, Actor, The Barmaid, based on Manet's "A Bar at the Folies-Bergere"
Have you ever done a museum "no-no," like talk on your cell, sneaking in food, touching a piece of art, or making-out in a museum?
I rarely travel without food and have totally smuggled my lunch into the museum!
If you could live in any NYC museum which one would you live in?
At the Metropolitan, in one of the grande 18th century rooms.
If you could be a character in any painting who would you be? Madame X, missing a shoulder strap.
What play would make a good painting? Why?
Brief Encounter because it so human.
Is there an artist or work that brings out a strong emotion in you?
My uncle, Philip Knitzer's Hudson River Valley landscapes, my absolute favorite, peaceful place.
Have you ever done a museum "no-no," like talk on your cell, sneaking in food, touching a piece of art, or making-out in a museum?
I rarely travel without food and have totally smuggled my lunch into the museum!
If you could live in any NYC museum which one would you live in?
At the Metropolitan, in one of the grande 18th century rooms.
If you could be a character in any painting who would you be? Madame X, missing a shoulder strap.
What play would make a good painting? Why?
Brief Encounter because it so human.
Is there an artist or work that brings out a strong emotion in you?
My uncle, Philip Knitzer's Hudson River Valley landscapes, my absolute favorite, peaceful place.

Kelly Zekas, Actor: Not Still Life, based on Vanessa Bell's "Still Life, Corner Mantlepiece"
Have you ever done a museum "no-no," like talk on your cell, sneaking in food, touching a piece of art, or making-out in a museum?
I have definitely eaten in a museum because I can't go 45 minutes without popcorn ... Ditto for making-out.
If you could live in any NYC museum which one would you live in?
The Frick. Please adopt me, Frick family. I would be the best Frick ever.
If you could be a character in any painting who would you be?
Comtesse d'Haussonville - Look at this woman. I want to know all her secrets. I bet she has a million discarded lovers and writes scandalous novels based on her life.
Is there an artist or work that brings out a strong emotion in you?
I'm not usually a huge fan of abstract art, but have always loved Kandinsky. He may or may not have had synesthesia - seeing sounds in color, and his paintings always make me feel very strange and squirmy. You know, in a good way.
Have you ever done a museum "no-no," like talk on your cell, sneaking in food, touching a piece of art, or making-out in a museum?
I have definitely eaten in a museum because I can't go 45 minutes without popcorn ... Ditto for making-out.
If you could live in any NYC museum which one would you live in?
The Frick. Please adopt me, Frick family. I would be the best Frick ever.
If you could be a character in any painting who would you be?
Comtesse d'Haussonville - Look at this woman. I want to know all her secrets. I bet she has a million discarded lovers and writes scandalous novels based on her life.
Is there an artist or work that brings out a strong emotion in you?
I'm not usually a huge fan of abstract art, but have always loved Kandinsky. He may or may not have had synesthesia - seeing sounds in color, and his paintings always make me feel very strange and squirmy. You know, in a good way.

Katrin Hilbe, Director: The Barmaid, based on Manet's "A Bar at the Folies-Bergere"
Have you ever done a museum "no-no," like talk on your cell, sneaking in food, touching a piece of art, or making-out in a museum?
I have fond memories of making out inside a large Richard Serra installation. Other visitors delicately refrained from entering. Got my boyfriend finally to appreciate modern art.
If you could be a character in any painting who would you be?
Madame X, Mona Lisa, Botticelli's Venus... hm.
What play would make a good painting? Why?
Winter's Tale, empty stage, after the bear has left in pursuit. Nothing like an idyllic landscape after a bloody death.
How has working on this play changed how you feel about the painting it's based on?
I feel more related to the girl in the painting, or rather as the play is a projection on her, I tap into that and I now think I know her story a bit. Which is of course completely untrue, but feels good. Also, I only now realize how many Champagne bottles are around her!
Have you ever done a museum "no-no," like talk on your cell, sneaking in food, touching a piece of art, or making-out in a museum?
I have fond memories of making out inside a large Richard Serra installation. Other visitors delicately refrained from entering. Got my boyfriend finally to appreciate modern art.
If you could be a character in any painting who would you be?
Madame X, Mona Lisa, Botticelli's Venus... hm.
What play would make a good painting? Why?
Winter's Tale, empty stage, after the bear has left in pursuit. Nothing like an idyllic landscape after a bloody death.
How has working on this play changed how you feel about the painting it's based on?
I feel more related to the girl in the painting, or rather as the play is a projection on her, I tap into that and I now think I know her story a bit. Which is of course completely untrue, but feels good. Also, I only now realize how many Champagne bottles are around her!

Julian Elfer, Actor: Natural Selection, based on Monet's "Water Lilies" and Renoir for Sale, based on Renoir's Dejuener des Canotiers"
Have you ever done a museum "no-no" in a museum?
Never done anything questionable in a museum...not because I didn't want to, but just because I'm too square and approach this kind of thing with a laughable sort of reverence.
If you could live in any NYC museum which one would you live in?
I'd live in the Met, because I'd never get to the end of it. And I could always go and sit with the wonderful Toaist sages and Bhuddas whenever I felt like a rest.
What play would make a good painting? Why?
Take any play by Pinter... the situations are so clear, the energy so strong: Lenny menacing Ruth; or Mick leaning in to Davies. A great example might be Salome. It's the Bible. Wilde wrote the play and I remember a fantastic portrait of Salome in London's National Gallery by Cesare de Sesto which always electrified me...Sex and violence, it's irresistable.
How has working on this play changed how you feel about the painting it's based on?
The plays I'm working on aren't about the works per se, but about the value which we assign to art in our society. In Bob's play, i feel the Monet is a cultural imperative regardless of what it can offer people aesthetically. Similarly, Jim's play deals with the idea of art as a financial investment and public badge of respectability.
Is there an artist or work that brings out a strong emotion in you?
For me it's the artists of the Northern Renaissance: Gerard ter Borch, Vermeer, de Hooch...their paintings are so quiet, so still and yet so full of insight in to people and the dynamics between them. Caravaggio is irresistable. When I was a child I saw a painting entitled 'When Did You Last See Your Father' that terrified and fascinated me.
Have you ever done a museum "no-no" in a museum?
Never done anything questionable in a museum...not because I didn't want to, but just because I'm too square and approach this kind of thing with a laughable sort of reverence.
If you could live in any NYC museum which one would you live in?
I'd live in the Met, because I'd never get to the end of it. And I could always go and sit with the wonderful Toaist sages and Bhuddas whenever I felt like a rest.
What play would make a good painting? Why?
Take any play by Pinter... the situations are so clear, the energy so strong: Lenny menacing Ruth; or Mick leaning in to Davies. A great example might be Salome. It's the Bible. Wilde wrote the play and I remember a fantastic portrait of Salome in London's National Gallery by Cesare de Sesto which always electrified me...Sex and violence, it's irresistable.
How has working on this play changed how you feel about the painting it's based on?
The plays I'm working on aren't about the works per se, but about the value which we assign to art in our society. In Bob's play, i feel the Monet is a cultural imperative regardless of what it can offer people aesthetically. Similarly, Jim's play deals with the idea of art as a financial investment and public badge of respectability.
Is there an artist or work that brings out a strong emotion in you?
For me it's the artists of the Northern Renaissance: Gerard ter Borch, Vermeer, de Hooch...their paintings are so quiet, so still and yet so full of insight in to people and the dynamics between them. Caravaggio is irresistable. When I was a child I saw a painting entitled 'When Did You Last See Your Father' that terrified and fascinated me.

Kathy Towson, Actor: The Exhibition, based on Vermeer's "Girl with Pearl Earring"
Have you ever done a museum "no-no" in a museum?
No – unfortunately I’m a little straight-laced and a big rule-follower. Have a German mom and learned to be “societally correct” at all times at an early age – maybe one day I’ll be adventurous.
If you could live in any NYC museum which one would you live in?
Museum of Natural History in some beautiful forest display – very tranquil.
What play would make a good painting? Why?
The Long Christmas Dinner by Thornton Wilder. Pictures of families, sitting together at a table for a festive holiday always evokes warm feelings.
How has working on this play changed how you feel about the painting it's based on?
My character seems just as lonely as the girl in the painting. Now when I look at her in the painting I have empathy.
Is there an artist or work that brings out a strong emotion in you?
My favorite artist – Thomas Kinkaid. His “light” paintings always give me a sense of peace, tranquility and warmth – I want to live in one of his thatched cottages – THAT would be for me the perfect life!
Have you ever done a museum "no-no" in a museum?
No – unfortunately I’m a little straight-laced and a big rule-follower. Have a German mom and learned to be “societally correct” at all times at an early age – maybe one day I’ll be adventurous.
If you could live in any NYC museum which one would you live in?
Museum of Natural History in some beautiful forest display – very tranquil.
What play would make a good painting? Why?
The Long Christmas Dinner by Thornton Wilder. Pictures of families, sitting together at a table for a festive holiday always evokes warm feelings.
How has working on this play changed how you feel about the painting it's based on?
My character seems just as lonely as the girl in the painting. Now when I look at her in the painting I have empathy.
Is there an artist or work that brings out a strong emotion in you?
My favorite artist – Thomas Kinkaid. His “light” paintings always give me a sense of peace, tranquility and warmth – I want to live in one of his thatched cottages – THAT would be for me the perfect life!

Amanda Prasow, Actor: Renoir for Sale, based on Renoir's "Dejuener des Canotiers"
Have you ever done a museum "no-no," like talk on your cell, sneaking in food, touching a piece of art, or making-out in a museum?
I have an almost pathological propensity towards following rules so…no, not that I know of. Though I rarely go anywhere without a snack in my purse, so I’ve probably broken that one!
If you could be a character in any painting who would you be?
I had to google for this one because I’m really not up on my paintings, but I liked “The Artist’s Wife” by Egon Schiele.
What play would make a good painting? Why?
Ubu Roi by Alfred Jarry. I feel like the essence of that play could be captured in a single image of largesse and greed.
Is there an artist or work that brings out a strong emotion in you?
Magritte’s “The Lovers.”
Have you ever done a museum "no-no," like talk on your cell, sneaking in food, touching a piece of art, or making-out in a museum?
I have an almost pathological propensity towards following rules so…no, not that I know of. Though I rarely go anywhere without a snack in my purse, so I’ve probably broken that one!
If you could be a character in any painting who would you be?
I had to google for this one because I’m really not up on my paintings, but I liked “The Artist’s Wife” by Egon Schiele.
What play would make a good painting? Why?
Ubu Roi by Alfred Jarry. I feel like the essence of that play could be captured in a single image of largesse and greed.
Is there an artist or work that brings out a strong emotion in you?
Magritte’s “The Lovers.”

Sergei Burbank, Actor: Tony, Tommy, Bobby & Johnny, based on Rivera's "Detroit Industry"
Have you ever done a museum "no-no," like talk on your cell, sneaking in food, touching a piece of art, or making-out in a museum?
I got busted once for talking on my cell in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I've never made out in a museum, but that shouldn't be a 'no-no' -- art-inspired explosions of passion should be welcomed!
If you could live in any NYC museum which one would you live in?
The New York City Transit Museum. That's not weird at all.
If you could be a character in any painting who would you be?
Venus in "The Birth of Venus" by Sandro Botticelli.
What play would make a good painting? Why?
Lanford Wilson's "Rimers of Eldritch" might, but it would be disturbing as all get-out.
How has working on this play changed how you feel about the painting it's based on?
I've never seen Diego Rivera's works as humorous, but this play has made me look at this work with a whimsical eye.
Is there an artist or work that brings out a strong emotion in you?
Philip Glass.
Have you ever done a museum "no-no," like talk on your cell, sneaking in food, touching a piece of art, or making-out in a museum?
I got busted once for talking on my cell in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I've never made out in a museum, but that shouldn't be a 'no-no' -- art-inspired explosions of passion should be welcomed!
If you could live in any NYC museum which one would you live in?
The New York City Transit Museum. That's not weird at all.
If you could be a character in any painting who would you be?
Venus in "The Birth of Venus" by Sandro Botticelli.
What play would make a good painting? Why?
Lanford Wilson's "Rimers of Eldritch" might, but it would be disturbing as all get-out.
How has working on this play changed how you feel about the painting it's based on?
I've never seen Diego Rivera's works as humorous, but this play has made me look at this work with a whimsical eye.
Is there an artist or work that brings out a strong emotion in you?
Philip Glass.