To Provoke, or To Inform? One in the same?

The Couple in the Cage had a profound impact upon my view of global theatre. During the viewing, I found myself unsurprised by the ignorance of the masses of people taking pictures and misinterpreting the statement about European colonization of indigenous peoples – particularly that of Mexico and Central America. The tool that is used is satire, although I am uncertain of its use on a global theatrical scale. My primary concern rests with the negative connotation that satire can often times bring with it…

An intelligent person could instantly recognize the exaggeration and extravagance of Fusco and Gomez-Pena, and indeed that person would both understand the message and possible enjoy the “performance.” However, this person was most likely already aware of the power imbalances and cultural influences placed upon indigenous peoples, and the performance would only serve to help resurface the issue in the mind of that person. What global theatre must do is bring attention to the issue while also helping to propose a solution through demonstration of action. Those audience members/viewers of The Couple in the Cage who did not grasp the satirical meaning (taking photos, pointing and laughing, etc…) merely became reminders of the mass ignorance, or lack of awareness, that the general world populace maintains about the different cultural experiences around the globe and the effects of European colonization.

The message portrayed in this is terrifying... It proves that human beings can be manipulated and made fun of directly without knowing it or desiring to change it. It demonstrates the very nature of people to categorize and label that which is different as “other.” Indeed, the form of satire does reveal the ignorance of information, and I was surprised by the artists’ claim at the end of the video stating that they were surprised to be so misinterpreted. They knew some would understand and that many would not; they knew that satire would highlight the lack of awareness and knowledge of the situation. Their use of satire as a global theatrical tool was provocative, and I believe intentional, and although the form may bring about awareness, it does not create an environment in which intercultural exchange can occur. It some sense, it is retaliation. Righteous, and needed, but not necessarily progressive in its ability to develop a global theatre consciousness.