photography, costume, architectural
scale model, text
The imaginary theater play Betonicus is inspired by the fact that architectural neo-style elements imitate styles of the past. Betonicus is the concrete neo-antique column that is permanently installed in an illegally built tourist apartment. He dreams about being the ancient original column that was erected by the emperor Diocletian himself. Plasticus, a character that plays the role of a plastic door, represents a small-scale but widespread, devastating element that is often incorporated into cultural heritage. The Peristyle, the central square of Diocletian’s Palace in Split, is conceived as the location of the play’s premiere, as shown in the set dvesign scale model.
Technical associate:
Goran Radošević
Installation view photo credit:
Žaklina Antonijević
Characters
BETONICUS
a cement column of the neo-Corinthian variety
PLASTICUS
a PVC door
ACT ONE
Concrete suburbia. Over-built. An apartment building.
Unplastered, yet magnificently decorated in an antique fashion. Illegally built, but subsequently legalized.
SCENE ONE
BETONICUS
(alone, in thought, motionlessly supporting a double arch)
What is the suffering of Sisyphus,
What the torment of Tantalus!
From cement have I been poured,
In gold and silver stained,
Forever underneath concrete arches placed.
In a dream, again, the same images appeared:
Had I only in marble been carved,
Had I on the Peristyle been placed,
By Diocletian’s hand I’d have been caressed.
Alas, sweet dreams were interrupted by reality,
And a concrete fate befallen me!
The Gods have not explained such iniquity,
Why make the stairs of marble instead of me?
