Set against the backdrop of AI, Picasso 2033 explores the profound mother-daughter relationship
Picasso 2033 is an experimental play set in a future world where AI gradually replaces humans in the field of art. In the narrative, AI painting trainer 9527 (Gawa Leung) returns to the house where she once lived with her mother. Her mother’s unfinished painting, created during her battle with Alzheimer’s disease, awakens her memories. Through the emotional entanglement between the protagonist, 9527 and her mother (Yue Tang), the play delves into profound reflections on the future of art, artificial intelligence, and the identity and creativity of humanity.
Picasso 2033 emphasises the exploration of AI’s impact on art in its promotion, but the actual theme is more about discovering the relationship between mother and daughter. In the play, AI functions more as an aid to the daughter’s understanding of her mother’s emotions. However, compared to the AI theme, the portrayal of the mother-daughter relationship is more moving and profound, resonating deeply with the audience. This makes the discussion of AI lacking in depth, the position of AI is expressed primarily through 9527’s final monologue, which voices doubt and resistance toward AI.
The stage design of this play is very innovative, cleverly dividing the space between memory and reality, and between the past and the future, using chain curtains, projections. The chain curtain divides the stage into two parts: the front half represents the present reality where 9527 exists, while the back half represents the memory space where the mother resides. Multimedia projections are also cast onto this chain curtain. The chain curtain serves not only as a visual separator but also symbolizes the insurmountable boundaries of time and memory between the daughter and her mother. There is also a bicycle placed on the right side of the stage. During the performance, 9527 delivers her lines while riding a stationary bike, pedalling at different speeds in sync with the emotional fluctuations of the performance. This setup is unique and full of symbolic meaning, conveying a sense of emotional disorientation and repetitive struggle. Gawa Leung’s performance is compelling, and the physical challenge of riding a bicycle while acting is handled with great skill. In this play, I can also see echoes of many European contemporary theatrical works.