Anthropos
A manifest for the societies of control and obedience

Anthropos is the perpetrator, Anthropos is the victim. Anthropos is the one who has control, who presses the button, exercises authority. Anthropos is the one who faces the consequences.

How far could people who obey orders go if their actions hurt another person? People's personalities could be radically altered when given a position of power. While freedom seems to be encouraged, we actually live in societies of control. You have free will as long as you obey the system. You must transform into a pawn in order to belong to the majority. You must close your eyes and follow as blind the instructions. It is more convenient when you don’t see, isn’t it? You must not step back. You must not think. You must not question. Just pull the trigger. Our every move is now recorded and those who we expect to protect us are the ones who threaten us. What are the boundaries between obedience to authority and individual conscience? Who are the real perpetrators and who are the victims? Can we envision a society in which respect for society as a whole transcends individuality?

The installation allows the participants to push the performer/victim past his limits by pressing buttons that cause stretching at certain parts of his body. There are five
interface/ control points consisting of a display, a switch and a potentiometer. Each one is connected to the performer through a manipulative chain. The fluctuation of sound and light creates an audiovisual environment that enhances the participants experience. Will they abide by the rules of the experiment and the roles of authority and control or will they act to save the victim?