What’s the inspiration behind the performance?
It came from my observations of people caring less and less about others. I wanted to figure out why this was the case, and then realized that people generally just decided to sit on the fence. It’s like we don’t know how to react rationally to a problem. I hate it when people say, “I don’t feel anything, I’m indifferent,” even in response to the film they’ve just watched. That’s like feeling nothing at all. Why is it so hard to just say you like something, it’s fun, or to say something sucks. Because we never admit to negative feelings, we don’t know how to handle certain political and social situations. Sometimes I think our plight is hopeless. 

Can you give us an example?
The most recent one might be the Bangkok floods in 2011. Everyone knew it was a bad thing occurring, but many chose to side-step the problem by saying things like, “Well, it’s good that I got a lot of days off work” or “Now I have an excuse to visit IKEA.” You don’t have to act strong all the time, come on, your house is under water! We never learn how to deal with loss, because we just let it go, so history repeats. The media, too, dramatizes news to make sales, showing dead bodies and treating murder as a normal part of life. We can’t be sure anymore if this is news or soap opera.

How is this dealt with in (In) Sensitivity?
The performance can be perceived as both following and not following a plot. At a certain level, there’s a storyline, but it’s more about the improvisation of three performers and our interaction with the audience, which means every show will be different. The performers will take on three distinct personas: one is all about entertaining, another is detached and unfeeling, while the last is resolutely positive-minded. These characters will be put through situations where they have to decide if they are still happy when they no longer feel anything. The true message of the show, however, will be in the way it affects the audience.  

What do you expect audiences to get from the show?
A mutual experience. It’s an experimental show that relies mainly on movement and lighting, which adds meaning to each and every scene. I don’t expect the audience to understand the show in terms of a storyline, but I want them to feel something, whether it’s a reminder of a past situation or an entirely new experience. And if people are bored by my show, will they accept that as a genuine feeling or choose to escape it by playing with their iPhone?

What’s next?
I want to turn (In) Sensitivity into a dance film. This would be a new thing for me, too. I’ve spoken to some friends who are in the film industry and we’ll explore the possibilities more after the show’s finished.