IN OUT AND AROUND
The project was based on the concept of whether we are rulers of our fate or victims of coincidence. Using three basic terms, fate, luck and free will, I tried to create a post-dramatic experience, which would ideally make the members of the audience question their own decisions and discover whether they would easily be manipulated.
Based on a walkthrough, the audience had to follow a certain path defined by lines on the floor. The lines had been created in a way that one could see it is a maze; however, he would not easily see the end of it. Inside the line system, vertical wooden blocks were added, in order to create a sense of a three-dimensional room. The room was completely dark; the lines on the floor though were made out of fluorescent tape, which could glow under UV lights. The blocks were outlined using the same tape, so their edges would be visible, reducing the risk for accidents, something that usually occurs in installations with dim light or no light at all.
The members of the audience had to walk through the lines, in order to find the exit. There was only one exit, yet the line system had many dead ends. The audience had to follow a specific route. To make people walk on the lines, there was a video installation as well, which gave specific instructions about the show. The rules were simple: People were allowed to walk only on the lines and not walk off them, to jump between the lines, to go back to the entrance, unless they would wish to change their path or found a dead end. What is most important is that they would have to obey the rules; otherwise, the point of the ‘maze’ would be lost.
3D model
3D model
The challenge of this performance piece was how to control the reaction of the audience. The performers would interfere; they would simply try to manipulate people, directly when possible, using gestures, movements and objects to interfere with their path. The performers were asked not only to help the participants find the exit, but also to block their way and see their reactions. This way, the participants would be unaware of the performers’ nature, whether they would be beneficial to them or not.
production photo
production photo