Hunger Artist

The narrative focuses on the main character, known simply as the "hunger artist," a globally renowned performer celebrated as the "record hunger artist of all time." He travels internationally, publicly "performing" his fasting as a form of popular entertainment. Despite being the best in his field, the hunger artist remains dissatisfied with his performances. Even at the pinnacle of his career, he believes his "work" is never fully appreciated by his audience, who fail to recognize his true potential. Moreover, he feels hindered in his attempts to surpass his own records by both the public’s short attention span and the promotional tactics of his impresario (manager). His personal frustrations reflect those of many artists, who often feel that their audiences cannot truly appreciate their talent. As the hunger artist grows older, his "art" falls out of fashion, and he is relegated to a minor position in a circus, where he is eventually forgotten by the circus managers and largely ignored by the crowds, who are more interested in the "menagerie."

Impresario

The hunger artist’s "impresario" serves as his manager and publicity agent, similar to how popular musicians today have agents who organize their performances and manage their public image. The impresario, described as "his partner in an unparalleled career," is a clever and essential promoter of the artist’s work, acting as a mediator between the artist and his audience. Unlike the artist, the impresario’s goal is to build the artist’s career by crafting a public image that appeals to the masses. He limits the artist’s fasting performances to a maximum of forty days, knowing that audiences lose interest after this period. Although the artist’s career success relies on the impresario, he is continually frustrated by these restrictions, which he perceives as compromising the integrity of his art. When it becomes evident that there is no longer public interest in the art of fasting, the impresario and the hunger artist part ways.