The play is dedicated to all the lost souls floating somewhere out there…in the liquid reality…

”Tekuća stvarnost” (”Liquid reality”) is a multimedia, interdisciplinary theatre piece dealing with the various phenomena of contemporary life in our global society seen through the lenses of an ordinary Croatian couple. The work is inspired by the texts of Bauman, Vattimo, and Coupland, critics of today’s society in a constant crisis, which is used as the only strategy and modus operandi to move forward.

The audience is immersed in the world of two people unable to keep up with increasingly demanding civilisational establishments and standards, longing for connection and meaning, trying overcome a crisis as they reflect on failures of their own ideals, betrayal of years passed and bleak future. Both, with different strategies try to get away from their problems and frustrations closing down on them and lead to absurd situations. Frustrations escalate when intrusive commercials interrupt their thoughts, lives and the show itself. The characters, immersed in a ‘liquid reality’, which according to Vattimo is based on ‘the evolution of the mass media and widespread communication systems’, provide sense of increasing dislocation, isolation and alienation. Such tendencies, along with growing processes of individualisation, erode the concept of social community from within. Themes are approached with humour that contributes to the lightness characteristic of ‘liquid modernity’.

The play metaphorically refers to a liquid property of the water departing from Bauman’s theories; introducing the term ‘liquid modernity’, Bauman described social changes ‘analysing emancipation, individuality, time/space, work and community. Our here and now is marked by fluidity – the dissolution of everything that once was solid, stabile and lasting, which brings utter uncertainty, fragmentation and disorientation in our lives.’ The piece speaks innovatively about current social issues and it addresses all those who recognise themselves and can relate to the problems of unemployment, pollution, consumerism, alienation and inadequacy to live up to social expectations.

Interdisciplinary approach to the creation of this work enables an authentic representation of the times we live in and related issues. By introducing new and interactive media, experimental sounds and vocals, we are evoking the fluid state of our reality and associated concepts. Special attention is given to the concept and aesthetic of the visuals (set design/big video projections/performance), and their synergy which drives the story. Fluidity, mobility and pollution of the water formally and metaphorically permeate all segments of the piece, and water becomes the main aesthetic element and immersive environment in which the story is located.