Panopticon
- IN2IT
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
About control and freedom, visibility and disappearance
The idea of the Panopticon was first imagined in the 18th century by philosopher Jeremy Bentham as a prison built for constant surveillance. Michel Foucault later described it as a powerful metaphor for modern society — a world in which we internalize external control and begin to monitor ourselves.
In PANOPTICON, this idea takes shape through the body. Red hands appear as a persistent presence, symbols of control that monitor, direct and limit movement. The body becomes a site of tension: a human spirit navigating a mechanized reality shaped by norms, systems and expectations.
The play unfolds as an inner dialogue between ego, superego and subconscious impulses. It explores the fragile space between order and chaos, and the longing to create meaning and stability in an unpredictable world. The character moves between a desire to be seen and a sense of invisibility — performing for others while questioning who they are under the gaze.
PANOPTICON invites us to reflect on our relationship to rules, judgment, and visibility. It asks what it means to live in a world where control is often subtle, where freedom is negotiated, and where the body becomes both a tool and a battlefield. The piece depicts a soul trapped in a body that increasingly resembles a machine — moving through a society that is increasingly organized, measurable, and predictable.
Press reviews :
“ A brilliantly grotesque solo by Vasiliki Papapostolou ” – The Spectator (UK) (The Place, London)
“ The audience exhales, thunderous applause, standing ovations .”(Original text is in German language)– NDR.de (Germany) (KunstFestSpiele, Hanover)
" The Greek dancer's performance was met with three rounds of applause, with several audience members left frozen in their seats by the end ."(Original text is in Hungarian language)– Prae.hu (Hungary) (National Theater of Miskolc)
ABOUT
Vasiliki Papapostolou, also known as Tarantism, is an experimental dance artist from Greece whose work combines physical theatre, urban street dance and ballroom Latin. Through intricate physical expression and layered storytelling, she explores how visible and invisible forms of control shape human experience, identity and relationships.
Read more about Vasiliki's artistic work here : https://www.tarantism.work/about
Panopticon will be presented as part of a double performance on Wednesday, March 4th at 7:00 PM during the In2IT festival.
Watch the performance trailer here:
Credits:
Choreography / performance / lyrics: Vasiliki Papapostolou aka Tarantism
Music and sound design: Christopher Nas
Lighting designer: Emma Gasson
Videographer: Klaus Shehaj
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