For this unit, I first tried to understand the current context; then, through different artists and philosophers, I researched how it affects our field and my practice.
In this context, I wanted to question if new technologies in theatre and performance can be effective in engaging the audience emotionally, mentally, and corporeally.
This research made me realise that my initial question was perhaps too subjective and too broad. Despite this, I found that new technologies are part of the future of interactivity in Performance. The question was no longer how but what: what form of new technologies will allow theatre to create interactivity between the audience and the performance?
I was sometimes struggling with the question, "what do you want to say, what is the aim of my thoughts?" It was hard for me to focus as everything I found interesting and I had expressing what I was searching for in an effective way.
Having friends who were not in this field – who could tell me objectively what was or not relevant to my practice and theory – was really helpful, and I could question deeper what I wanted to show and say as a final outcome.
My final outcome is now a link, a bridge between units 9 and 10. This experimental installation allowed me to challenge my practice.
I want my approach to performance practice to have content and sense. However, I can see from the literature that this is not easy and may be quite ambitious. For this reason, I am still searching for a good way to present my final outcome for unit 10.
Here, with the installation, I allow the audience to become co-actors, part of the experimentation. They become more than observers. They have the power to participate in the storytelling and what the piece will look like in the end.
The question therefore became, “is the artwork complete only when the audience interact with it, or can it exist by itself?” My installation, the 'Social Box', is clearly not accomplished if there is no interactivity with the audience.
Although achievement of good interactivity between audience and performers is very difficult, this project allowed me to explore the boundaries between the real and the fictional using social media.
People who try the 'Social Box' seem to enjoy the journey and didn't hesitate to "play the game". My main concern was fulfilling all the expectations of the audience, but in reality they didn't hesitate to give their phone number, send text massages or wait for the answer.
I questioned my practice and my theory more with this box, and began to wonder if people are more comfortable interacting with machines and technology than with performers themselves. I ask participants they thought about this question, and they confirmed that they feel more comfortable interacting with phones and digital media rather than directly with human beings.
In my unit 10, I would like to push this experimental installation further. I am still exploring some leads that could allow the audience participation to be taken further.
I am always questioning myself to make sure it is pursued with success, until its final completion.