Goethe-Institut Bangalore

Trust me, it's a forward!

KSWE worldwide Bangalore © Karen D'Mello
How can we make the non-transparent world of instant messaging more tangible? Theatre director Karen D’Mello has developed a game in Bangalore, exploring the question of what influence a single person’s behaviour has on the spread of (fake) news and what determines whether we trust the news we read.

The audience of Trust me, it’s a forward! is part of an experiment. Digital processes such as forwarding WhatsApp messages are translated into a bodily experience, creating a space that allows visitors to reflect on their own behaviour and what dynamics this might trigger on instant messaging apps. The audience and performers explore together how the relationship between trust and safety changes through interactions: How is information shared between users? What makes a news story trustworthy? What influence do (ir)rational decisions have on the formation of isolated groups, such as supporters of conspiracy theories?

The premiere took place in Bangalore in early May.

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