Black the Ten

Black the Ten is a theatre work for Wavefield
Synthesis based on the collaboration of
Argentinean painter Luis Tomasello (1915-2014)
and poet Julio Cortázar (1914-1984). Negro el 10
is a booklet of ten serigraphs by Tomasello with
ten stanzas by Cortázar for each serigraph. The
prints are photos of Tomasello’s works from his
Lumière Noire, acrylic on wood. Tomasello’s work
relies on relief abstract qualities—forms are made
from planes and squares. Many works comprise a
single plane with slots cut to create a feeling of
depth. From a few techniques, a vast array of
effects are found in his work: edges of volumes
and planes form features, the thickness varies—
causing the surface to undulate, shadows are
cast and move in accordance with the
illumination of the shapes. Cortázar’s evocative
poem brings many of these effects to life,
dancing between physical qualities of the
paintings and abstract conceptualism that the
works exude. Cortázar’s prose is often situated in
non-linear time, this cyclical nature is reflected in
both the paintings and poetry. My theatrical
portrait adds my own imaginary sonic tapestry to
Tomasello and Cortázar’s work