Outside / In

Outside / In is inspired by the logic of the panopticon–an architectural prison designed by the architect Jeremy Bentham in the 17th century. The principle of the panopticon is simple: a central tower allows the jailers to monitor, without being seen, all the acts and gestures of the prisoners who are locked in small cells in a circular building around the tower. The effect of the panopticon is based on imposing behaviors on the whole population based on the idea that we are being watched, that we are watching each other and that we can be punished or excluded, at any moment if our behavior deviates from what the central power has defined as normal or accepted. If the panopticon concept is extended to the society in which we currently live, we see that social media are taking more and more place in our lives and influencing our behavior. The advent of this panoptic society integrates the omnipresent look of control that monitors and therefore limits thoughts and behaviors. Each person therefore ends up internalizing and exercising this control over himself. The omnipresent gaze is then internalized, as well as the gradual loss of freedom. This relationship between the exterior and the interior inspired the choice of title and is at the heart of the dramaturgy of this new creation, Outside / In.

Work-in-progress events offer a window into the research, development, and production of new works by artists in residence at EMPAC. These free events open up a dialogue between our audiences, artists, and EMPAC staff.