-Brenda Hillegas
photo by Danny Bristoll
There are some things that AI just can’t do. Like genuine connection, compassion, feelings that are candid and not preprogrammed. Art.
In Olivia Haller’s Loneliness Was a Pandemic (at Theaterlab, 357 W 36th St. 3rd floor, New York, NY), the world is controlled by robots and the only humans the kept alive are artists, now isolated and imprisoned, in order to teach robots how to create art. A human (Emily Sullivan) was once a well-respected and known artist. She’s paired with robot (Andrew Moorhead) who can recreate any painting ever made in the before times. But, he needs his human to actually show him express emotions and channel feelings into what goes on canvas. Is it possible? Or are the robots always just going to mimic what they see the humans do? Can they ever be taught to feel?
The thought of this not-too-distant future is disturbing. Will robots kill us all? It’s probably unlikely. But, will artists, writers, creative fields be eradicated because of AI advancements? Or are some things not able to be emulated by machine?
Whether you’re looking for a new theatre to visit, something original, or want to add on one last show to your weekend trip (like I always do), Loneliness Was a Pandemic is a short, fast-paced 70 minutes that you will not regret. The show runs through November 24th.
This was my first visit to Theaterlab, a small and welcoming space that highlights new works, many art forms, and offers affordable rehearsal and project development. Read more here.
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