The piece titles 4:33 or Four Minutes and Thirty-Three Seconds was composed by John Cage in 1952 and was intended to be played by any instrument. This experimental composer wrote this work that is unlike any other work and it has been performed by many famous musicians. There are three movements to this work and the performance is 4 minutes and 33 seconds long. The performer approaches their instrument and sits as if they were going to play the work, but they hen start a timer and simply sit there the entire length of the performance without playing the instrument. The only sound heard is the natural environment in the space.
This work can be a demonstration of how important it is for people to be in the moment. It focuses on real time and the silence of a room. Many people neglect to “stop and smell the roses” in their everyday lives and this work brings importance to those moments as a reminder that every moment is a gift. On the opposite side of the spectrum, this work could be a method of seeing how much people will pay to see a musician do absolutely nothing. What is the monetary value someone can place on a performance where the spectators only see the musician and they do not hear their musical talents. Could this be a representation of how society will pay outrageous sums of money to say that they went to see something or someone considered great?
Art & Sustainability 