A Turbulent Portrayal of the Politics of Art

Howard Barker’s “Scenes From an Execution,” presented by the Zoo District at ArtShare Los Angeles, belabors the obvious point that genius often suffers for the sake of truth. However, in Gleason Bauer’s sweeping staging, an uneven but passionate cast imbues Barker’s prolix period drama with raw vitality.

The action is set in late 16th century Venice, one year after the famed and bloody Battle of Lepanto. Upon being commissioned by the Doge (Miguel Perez) to memorialize the conflict in a massive oil painting, Galactia (Bernadette Sullivan), a celebrated artist, enters her own epic conflict with the Venetian state. In defiance of tradition and expectations, she executes a canvas of such repugnant exactitude that it stuns sensibilities accustomed to more idealized images of warfare. For the authorities, for whom war is a sanctified function of the state, Galactia’s radically graphic painting is heretical.

The Kumquat Quartet dramatically punctuates the proceedings with Jef Bek’s original music performed live. Matt Aston’s elegantly understated production design is an effective backdrop for the turbulent events.

Sullivan is compelling as the sprawling, brawling, half-mad artist, notorious for her promiscuous escapades. However, Galactia’s philosophical ranting proves occasionally wearying, and her sexual interaction with an artist lover (Loren Rubin) lacks the requisite sizzle. On the other hand, Galactia’s scenes with Perez’s Doge are hormonally supercharged, a sexy and fascinating clash between well-matched adversaries.

BE THERE

“Scenes From an Execution,” ArtShare Los Angeles, 801 E. 4th Place (at Hewitt Street), downtown Los Angeles. Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Ends Feb. 14. $12. (323) 769-5674. Running time: 2 hours, 45 minutes.