08.2024
«The Possession» and «The Domination»

Performed by Gennadiy Golovchenko, Tetiana Voloshenko, Ivan Fjut and directed by Aljoscha at the State Circus of Dnipro, Ukraine.

The first performance reveals the connection between the drive to possess and latent aggression, raising questions grounded in both biological and ethical perspectives. It interrogates whether possession is ever justified or if it reflects a territorial instinct seen across species. The performance suggests that the urge to control others, whether human, animal, or environmental, may be a modern manifestation of dominance behaviors, akin to a form of slavery. It also challenges the degree of autonomy we possess over our own lives, or whether we are, in fact, subject to external influences — be they sociocultural, neurobiological, or evolutionary. Through this backgrounds, "The Possession" critiques the inherent violence and ethical erosion tied to the impulse to dominate, urging a reevaluation of the boundaries and implications of possession within the biosphere.

The second piece, a parody of male domination in political and social life, prompts questions about the roots of this dominance. Is it grounded in historically aggressive roles, religious doctrines, or more active social and behavioral patterns traditionally associated with males? The performance also raises the question of whether there is a biological basis for the frequent underrepresentation and marginalization of females in political spheres.
Biologically, some argue that evolutionary pressures may have favored certain aggressive and competitive behaviors in males, which could translate into dominance in political and social structures. However, this perspective is increasingly challenged by the recognition of cultural and societal influences that perpetuate gender imbalances. The notion that females are more often cheated or underrepresented is less about inherent biological differences and more about systemic biases and patriarchal structures that have historically limited women's access to power and representation.