Rhinoceros


Stage Design, Video Installation

2012

"Rhinoceros," a play script by Eugène Ionesco, is reproduced to life in a unique and immersive theatrical experience at the Square of Seoul City Hall. This symbolic location, known for its history of collective demonstrations, including the impeachment of the former president of Korea, sets the stage for a powerful and engaging performance. The audience, seated in the center of the Circular Technical Theater, finds themselves surrounded by the action as the play unfolds around them.

The play depicts the collective madness and infectious nature of Nazism that threatened humanity in the twentieth century. As the story progresses, the peaceful village is disrupted by the appearance of a rhinoceros, and one by one, people begin to transform into these creatures, as if a plague were spreading through the community. The circular artworks surrounding the audience serve to enhance the immersive experience, drawing them into the narrative and making them feel as though they are part of the "crowd" that the performance addresses.

Through this unique staging, the audience actively participates in the theme inherent in the text, experiencing firsthand the struggle of the protagonist to maintain his humanity in the face of overwhelming conformity. The wall modules and actors move simultaneously in a circular layout, creating a dynamic and engaging environment that highlights the play's central message. As the audience becomes increasingly immersed in the story, they are confronted with the question of what it means to be human in a world that often demands conformity and the suppression of individuality. This powerful and thought-provoking performance leaves a lasting impact on all who experience it.