WETWARE

In a stage show that combines stand-up, Elon Musk and the psychopolitics of Byung-Chul Han, Jan Rozman, like many other men in crisis, embarks on a journey of self-discovery. In his latest work, Rozman asks himself the question: What is it in me that never makes me feel enough? Will he manage to stop the buzzing he feels in his own body in time, or will the next time he switches on the screen, the unstoppable plunge into the black hole of thinking about the impossibility of (bodily) autonomy begin again?

Jan Rozman’s performance WETWARE questions the autonomy of bodies in surveillance capitalism through a choreographic intervention in a stand-up format. The surveillance devices we have voluntarily opted for – our smart devices – track our every move, voice, glance and touch. The algorithms that power them have become better at fulfilling our supposed desires than we are. But at the same time, they also fulfil our greatest fears. Technology is a total institution that we carry within us. Psychopolitical reward and control systems are reflected in somatic processes in tissues, organs, the body and not least in the artist’s performance.

In WETWARE, which describes a biological computer based on outdated terms for hardware and software, Rozman puts the relationship between “can” and “must” up for discussion. A loop that leads us to ever more, ever better. He uses humour as one of the most important means of exposing new totalitarianisms and imagines the body as a billion smart devices. These must work together in harmony in order to function effectively. But under the constant electrochemical flow of consumer desires, this body may be less free and in more trouble than it seems at first glance.

• Artistic direction, choreography & performance: Jan Rozman
• Text: Metod Zupan, Jan Rozman
• Dramaturgy: Jaka Smerkolj Simoneti
• Video & Laser: Miha Možina
• Costume design: Andrej Vrhovnik
• Set design: Dan Pikalo
• Lighting design: Aljaž Zaletel
• Music: Veronika Černe
• Graphic design: Gregor Kocjančič
• Executive production: Luka T. Zagoričnik
• Support
  Production: Emanat
  Co-production: Cankarjev dom, Pan-Adria
  Financial support: City of Ljubljana, Ministry of Culture RS