We talk too much and say so little, writes KRISHA KOPS, discussing the virtues of complete silence in a noisy world
A pianist enters a stage. He opens the piano, prepares to play, and…does not play. About 33 seconds later, he closes the lid, reopens it, and…does not play for another 2 minutes and 44 seconds. The year is 1952.We’re in Woodstock, New York. The pianist repeats the act, this time not playing for 1 minute and 20 seconds. Ultimately, John Cages’ premier of his composition 4’33” (4 minutes, 33 seconds) is over, leaving behind an outraged audience…