The infinite scroll.
In this new long investigation process resulted on a work-in-progress presented on Boca Bienal, Ana Borralho & João Galante propose an unpredictable and captivating journey that explores the volatile and transitory nature of human connections in the digital age. The challenge is to transform the stage into a chatroom, calling the audience to be an active part of the work of art. Visitors to this virtual room are immersed in a video screen that spans the horizon and invited to choose a username and avatar in order to build their unique digital identity.
A chat group called Anel de Mobius is created on the Telegram instant messaging platform, where at the start of the show, the entire audience is invited to join and participate with their personal mobile phones by scanning a QR code. Participation is optional. From there, they are challenged to explore the depths of their creativity by sharing visual messages in GIF format with each other.
The conversation is held exclusively through GiFs. Users are encouraged to reflect on themes such as landscape, presence, self and other, loneliness, identity, vulnerability and empathy, while the line between virtual reality and human experience becomes increasingly blurred. Surprising connections are quickly established and dissolved, while the images float across the canvas like abstract brushstrokes.
An anonymous cast observes the interaction by participating as subtle moderators, providing provocative stimuli to encourage greater introspection and the structural sequence of the piece. At a certain point, one by one, the participating audience begins to be expelled from the group. At the end of the play, only a few continue to take part in the conversation.
In short, "Chatroom" is an experience that sheds light on the complexity of human relationships in the contemporary world. A collective meditation that, rather than alienating, awakens the sense and need for connection and understanding between virtually connected human beings.
Work-in-progress team on the presentation in Boca Bienal - Lisbon:
Concept and artistic direction Ana Borralho & João Galante Artistic and dramaturgical collaboration Fernando J. Ribeiro Artistic assistance Daniel Matos Original Soundtrack Coolgate aka João Galante Collaborators Ana Freitas, Inês Coias, Tiago Gandra Light design and technical direction Manuel Abrantes Executive direction and administration Mónica Samões Production and distribution direction Andrea Sozzi Executive production Joana Duarte e Maria João Malheiro Communication this is ground control Production casaBranca Co-production BoCA
©photos Bruno Simão
