36 Views

By Naomi Iizuka and Naomi Lizuka

Book Overview

In a series of 36 interlocking scenes, Naomi Iizuka's acclaimed play explores the relationship between the imaginary and the real.

36 Views is a captivating exploration of authenticity, art, and human relationships. Set against the backdrop of the art world, this play intertwines the ancient and the contemporary, creating a rich tapestry of intrigue and emotion.

The story begins with Darius Wheeler, a notorious art dealer, recounting his adventures in Southeast Asia while an 11th-century Japanese noblewoman disrobes in another scene. This juxtaposition sets the stage for a narrative that questions the nature of beauty and truth. Wheeler's interactions with Setsuko Hearn, an Asian studies professor, and his assistant John Bell, who fabricates an elaborate story about a manuscript, drive the plot forward.

As the characters navigate the complexities of art forgery, cultural heritage, and personal desires, they confront the authenticity of their own lives and decisions. The play's title, inspired by Hokusai's woodblock prints "36 Views of Mount Fuji," underscores the theme of perspective and the elusive nature of reality.

Naomi Iizuka's masterful blending of traditional Kabuki theater with modern Western forms creates a unique and thought-provoking experience. 36 Views is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersections of art, history, and human connection.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1585673838
• ISBN13: 9781585673834
• Release Date: June 2003
• Publisher: Overlook Press
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Urbane & Erudite

Naomi Iizuka's "36 Views" is a gripping play in 36 scenes. The title comes from a painter's study of Mount Fuji that became known as the 36 views. The play follows Darius Wheeler who is an art dealer that specializes in Asian antiquities. A rare manuscript is presented by his assistant John Bell. Bell betrays his employer by attesting that it is genuine. Wheeler buys it for a mere million dollars from a mysterious seller who is Claire Tsong, the artist to generate the impressive fake. Owen Matthiassen is a doctoral friend who consults with his former student Wheeler. Setsuko Hearn is also a brilliant doctor in Asian art who comments throughout on the authenticity. Meanwhile an undercover reporter Elizabeth Newman-Orr is running a sting on Wheeler's operation while she has a secret love relationship with Claire Tsong. There are many period references to Japanese art. The theme which I pulled from the drama was that even inauthentic things, whether it be a piece of art or a love relationship, can still have value when looked at from another view. Iizuka cleverly constructs her drama into the 36-scene format that mirrors the title metaphor. The original production was by Public Theatre/New York Shakespeare Festival. It is also printed in a volume New Playwrights: The Best Plays of 2001 (New Playwrights). Iizuka's drama is urbane & erudite. For a creative artistic director, this would be a lovely challenge. Enjoy!

Wonderful

and beautiful...and amazing...like all of Iizuka's work. Highly recommended.