Images of control

October 30, 1996
Issue 
252

Sociobeast
Flipside Performance
Dispensary Cafe
84 Enmore Road, Newtown, Sydney
November 1-4 and 6
Previewed by Nick Fredman

Sociobeast examines the evolving and contradictory relationship between humanity, society and technology. In a collage of images and scenes it depicts the role of technology in different historical and social contexts. The title refers to the central image of the performance, an evolving machine/society that represents the destructive and oppressive use of technology.

The role of technology in changing forms of social control and punishment, communications, media imagery and sexuality are examined using an inventive combination of live performance, live and sampled music and sounds, and video. Thought-provoking and often humorous, Sociobeast doesn't present a definitive analysis but it does stress that technology is created and controlled by society, particularly by those who have power in society.

This is the second production by Flipside Performance, an independent collective of young artists.

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