In dissensus, we trust: prototyping social relationships in participatory theatre

This paper discusses the potential of participatory theatre to rethink structures of society. More specifically, I examine how we can perceive this art practice as prototyping social relationships. The concept of prototyping (Corsín Jiménez 2014) in this paper is considered as a frame of possibility, that generates both modes of knowledge production and styles of exchange and interaction. While this definition of prototyping keeps the function of the surrogate that can be at once ‘more than many and less than one’, it announces as well a shift from creating artefacts to social relationships. I delve into this inquiry of participatory theatre prototyping society through an analysis of the work of the Belgian performing artist Katrien Oosterlinck who has developed a practice that facilitates meaningful contexts for being together. These meaningful contexts translate to interactive theatre settings in which the visitors engage with their own bodies, with others and with elements from their environment. Retaining to the notions of participation, bridging attitude (Otte 2014) and dissensus (Rancière 2010) as key aspects of the proposed view on politics, this paper analyzes the work Imagine Moving Rocks of Katrien Oosterlinck as a system of prototyping. Dissensus, coined by Rancière, refers to the conflict between sensory regimes and/or bodies, allowing for reconfigurations of a structure of sensory experience. While the strength of the proposed politics resides in its diversity, with difference taking root in its structure, trust needs to introduced as crucial element as well, as it provides a sense of common ground. This notion will not, however, be considered as trust in each other, but as trust in shared intention, providing the framework of spaces of trust rather than safe spaces. The study of the frame proposed in Imagine Moving Rocks uncovers the social principles engendering the practice of Katrien Oosterlinck. Through the idea of a bridging attitude this sociality holds the promise to become analogous to sociality in society, instilling a specific idea of politics. This disclosure of the social relationships becoming analogous to each other provides an analysis of prototyping, allowing the theatre practice of Oosterlinck to become a metaphor for a more responsible, available and co-creative society.

ISBN:978-84-9082-678-2

Keywords:Audience Participation, Dissensus, Participatory Performance, Prototyping, Bridging Attitude

Accessibility:Open