Founded in New York in 2004 by Kelly Copper and Pavol Liška, Nature Theater of Oklahoma is one of the most individual theatre companies of our time. Its unmistakable blend of conceptual clarity, formal rigour and an apparently trashy surface borrows from every theatre tradition and modernist art strategy imaginable. Its oeuvre extends from theatre productions and performances through dance pieces, musicals and audio dramas to literature, graphic novels and films in a wide range of genres.
This first monograph on Nature Theater of Oklahoma’s work offers a lively insight into its broad artistic practice. Essays by critics, theoreticians, fellow artists and participants in the various projects are accompanied by a series of contributions from Kelly Copper and Pavol Liška together with numerous colour illustrations and a comprehensive index of works.
With contributions by Elfriede Jelinek, Joris Lacoste, Florian Malzacher, Bonnie Marranca, Nikolaus Müller-Schöll, Nature Theater of Oklahoma, Claus Philipp, Tom Sellar, Karinne Keithley Syers, Pieter T’Jonck.
Guest appearances by Jérôme Bel, Romeo Castellucci, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, Liesbeth Gritter, Richard Foreman, William Forsythe, Faustin Linyekula, Rabih Mroué, Meg Stuart, Mette Van der Sijs, Sarah Vanhee.
The lovingly designed book is a successful mixture of analysis, biographical material, and voices of artist friends. Karin Cerny, Profil
It was high time. Now, however, the first monograph on the New York City-based theater group is finally available. Der Standard
A beautifully designed monograph. Arnd Wesemann, tanz
The texts in which Copper and Liška have their say and reflect on their artistic methods resemble a veritable cornucopia of insights and ideas. nachtkritik.de
