Below 20 | 2008

The core of this work is the domination of the individual by a (technologically oriented) environment, placed within a period in history in which Western man believes in an increase in control. This increase is regarded as necessary in order to solve issues related to (in)security and to continuously insure our standard of living. We believe, and are led to believe, that this increase in control will better our existence. The vague feelings of insecurity we have are counteracted by cctv cameras, mobile telephony, gps systems, the willing disclosure of private information, etc.... In short, there is a widespread acceptance of the idea that technology will help people neutralise their current fears.

We want to place the subject in a dominant environment that exercises influences that are not only compelling, but also subliminal. In this way we indicate that many control mechanisms manifest or develop 'under the public radar'- without any public knowledge.
The form of the work is based on the presentation of a current situation - a snapshot, without directly referencing the history behind it. A composition will be built from this current picture, in which the individual and the environment play equal roles.

There are many ways to approach the notion of control:

* (subliminal) surrounding influences
* being surrounded by an unseen 'pressure'
* the experience of an unlocatable source of irritation
* the (conscious?) finding of oneself in a dominant environment
* the subject controls himself, albeit unconsciously

Consent is also an important element. The individual gives consent, if unspoken, to be subjected to this control. Here we reference the fact that surveillance techniques today are seldomly criticised. There is, generally speaking, no talk of a civil movement that opposes this development, never mind providing a political counterweight. On a social level we see increasing infiltration of rules, norms and laws, with the consent of the same silent majority, fostering a growth in control.

As a last element we add the concept of self-control. People are placing themselves more and more under the spotlight of public scrutiny. They reveal their private lives and give others access to personal details. Virtual interactive systems such as Myspace, Facebook, Bebo, etc. transform what was once private into public knowledge. It is then not only a question of an increase in control on a collective level, but also on a personal one.
Please see the Below 20 Introduction for further, more detailed information (pdf format).

Bent Object started research for this performance around March 2007. The actual creation start date was March 17 2008- end June 2008. Restarting rehearsals in Feb 2009, the premiere date will be in the Workspace Brussels Working Title festival in April 2009.





Bent Object - performance :
Susanne Bentley, Peter Van Hoesen
Dramaturgy :
Anne Dekerk
Lighting :
Jan Van Gijsel
support :
Foton, Netwerk / center for contemporary art, VGC, De Pianofabriek, Workspace Brussels, Vooruit, Stuk