Versus

About

Like most of Garcia's works, "Versus" starts out quite peacefully with a discussion about how to eat a pizza. According to the experiences of the two performers, European and American youths alike have a tendency to cut out only a square in the middle of the pizza and throw away the rest. In their criticism of the waste of food in Western consumer culture, they make sure to add a disdainful comment about obesity often seen among American citizens.

Garcia is always seen going to the extreme in his criticism of materialism and consumerism. In "Versus" he is seen to skillfully interweave dialogue and monologue with live music, both rock and classic flamenco songs. Garcia's nihilist philosophy shines through the text, which is sometimes poetic, sometimes brutal, and sometimes full of humor and irony causing the audience to laugh. On the other side, some of the monologues are so real and cruel, leaving the spectator to ask himself whether this is based on the true experiences of the performers. Garcia treats groceries, animals and humans in the same way; they are used and abused; they get soiled and ripped apart. By the end of the performance the stage looks like a typhoon has swept over it.

Garcia portrays the horrors of alienation set off by consumer society. His expression is explosive and provocative, a cornucopia of elements aimed at recalling feelings of pleasure and disgust in the audiences. He is not afraid of treating themes that are considered taboo, he is of the meaning that the artist shall not be modest, but rather use anything at his hands to get heard. Garcia's unquenchable and provocative expression is directed at everyone. He does not offer a solution to the problem, but leaves the answers to the spectators after having witnessed his gut-wrenching poetics. No one leaves untouched after this intense experience.