Comical Tragedy and Tragical Comedy of Pufferfish

Joseph Kosuth - Conceptual artist and critic
Judith Butler - Gender theorist
Jean-Francois Lyotard - Philosopher and literary theorist

Act I
Scene I

(The small dimly lit room of Don’s Club Tavern. Only few casual diners before the bar section.)

(Enter Kosuth, Judith Butler and Lyotard. All three appear to be in the middle of an ongoing discussion as they settle around a table and order drinks.)

Lyotard – As I already stated and repeated through the lecture, Habermas’s definition of the nature of Postmodernism is rather flawed. He stubbornly continues operating with opposing terms, refusing to acknowledge the continuity of the two projects and indeed their oneness. If you read Kant…

Joseph Kosuth – Oh please! There you go again, quoting philosophers, those morticians of crumbling ideas. You spoke (as some length) of the post modern connection to modernism and hereditary nature of arts, yet you miss the point that the only connection between earlier works and pieces is determined when the new demands cause us to discover some aspects of those works that have relevance today.

Butler (to Lyotard) – Your implications about the lack of direct distinction between the Modernist and Postmodernist theories makes about as much sense as some of the Wittig’s claims…

Kosuth (under his breath) – Not the Wittig’s quotes again!

Butler (continues) – If we look at just one area of thought, such as gender identity, the difference is overwhelming. While no one in her(sic!) right mind will deny that the roots of Postmodernism are in the Modernism (such a denial would be foolish even on a purely linguistic basis) there exist a wide gap between the two theories. As the restrictive patriarchal supremacy (glares at Kosuth) denies me the right to quote whom I will, let me move on to express my sincere concurrence with your definition of art as boundless and unobstructed by totality. A belief that all three of us seem to share.

(The trio hugs and storms out of the tavern holding hands and dancing along the 6th Avenue.)

(Curtains)