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NO MAN IS AN iSLAND

Year

2023, 2024

Creative Process:

Commissioned by the Berlin Monologfestival as part of its 2023 theme “Common Senses,” NO MAN IS AN iSLAND investigates shared values in an increasingly fragmented world. Building on their longstanding connection with Taiwan, Post Theater collaborated with Po-Fu Wu, who previously performed in their interactive production Nonuments (Taiwan, 2019). The team conducted months of research and rehearsals, incorporating physical performance, multilingual storytelling, and sound design to create a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary solo piece. This production not only raises ethical questions about AI but also brings the current political tension in the Taiwan Strait closer to European audiences.

Dimensions / Scale

45-minute live solo theater performance

Media and Format

Multilingual solo theater performance

Exhibition History

Venue: TD Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Premiere: November 16, 2023, at Monologfestival “Common Senses,” Berlin

Performance Dates: September 12, 2024 / September 13, 2024, at TD Berlin

Production: Commissioned by TD Berlin, supported by the four-year festival funding of the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion Berlin

This production is actively seeking touring opportunities. Cultural institutions worldwide are welcome to collaborate.

Main Creators

Artistic Direction: Hiroko Tanahashi, Max Schumacher; Live Performance, Voice Performance, Co-Dramaturgy, Co-Author, Translation: Po-Fu Wu; Sound Design and Music: Sibin Vassilev; Lighting Design: David David Ojala; Subtitle Operator: Jingyun Li; Documentation Photos: Kimi Palme

hashtag

#SoloPerformance #TaiwanCulture #MultilingualTheater #SciFiAndDrama #ArtAndTechnology #AIIdentityCrisis #TaiwanPolitics #FreedomValues #BerlinArtScene #PostTheater

Link 2

Inspired by John Donne’s 1624 poem “No Man Is an Island,” NO MAN IS AN iSLAND examines the interconnectedness of humanity while highlighting Taiwan’s critical role in the global semiconductor industry, as symbolized by the “i” in “iSLAND.” This production, created by Post Theater and Taiwanese performer Po-Fu Wu, uses a sci-fi monologue to explore Taiwan’s current political challenges and the identity crisis of humanoid robots. The story revolves around a tech tycoon commissioning a lab to create “Taiwandroids” – androids that embody Taiwan’s cultural identity. As these robots confront the limits of autonomy, the performance explores the interplay between “original” and “replicant,” challenging perceptions of artificial intelligence and human nature. The actor on stage portrays both himself and his robotic replica, showcasing the complexities of dual identities while advocating for Taiwan’s values of freedom and democracy. Through this innovative and humorous narrative, the performance reflects on Taiwan’s precarious geopolitical situation and its vital role in the global community, inviting audiences to consider the merging boundaries between humans and AI.


 

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