The Tragical History of Jackson Pollock, Abstract Expressionist

The satirical text of a unique 20th century shadow play by Alfred Hoos (alias the ubiquitous Apostolos C.Doxiadis - author of Uncle Petros and Goldberg's Conjecture).  The play is an accessible and popular text  about the life, work and death of American abstract expressionist painter, Jackson Pollock (1912-1956). It was performed at the Zoumboulakis Galleries, Athens on the 1st February 1999 by an international cast including Alexandros Mylonas (La Mama), Malcolm Knight and Cora Bissett (Scottish Mask & Puppet Centre), Doug Miller (USA), Melina Paionidou (Greek National Theatre Drama School) with live music composed by Dimitri Papadimitriou. The performance uses Greek shadow play (Karaghiozis) transposed into modern cartoon style and draws upon many different elements: storytelling, balladry, pantomime, the American musical and key issues in art history. It is popular, accessible and essentially a comic modern morality tale. Doxiadis seamlessly blends all the elements. He wrote, designed, directed and financed the whole project. The text also contains a fictional introduction by Alfred Hoos; an guide to the cast and crew; and a colour section dedicated to the shadow figure designs. A vibrant and modern shadow play/music theatre of interest to all those seeking to stretch the boundaries. A DVD of the performance is also available from Doxiadis at e.mail: apostolosdoxiadis@mail.gr