BUNKER by Lisa Wilson and Nathan Sibthorpe

New Benner Theatre Metro Arts 19-22 October 2022

BUNKER is a new intermedial dance theatre work, combining interactive messaging, rich visual design, text, movement, original music and dynamic video projection, to explore the physical threat of virtual alarm. 

On 1st December 2017, Hawaii tested its nuclear threat siren for the first time in 30 years. In the following weeks, 26 drills were conducted to ensure the state was prepared for 
the worst. Then, there was this:

‘BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL’ (8:07am, 13th January, 2018)

After these alert messages were accidently shared across the state, it took 38 minutes for Hawaii officials to fully retract their warnings. It is estimated that a missile from North Korea would reach Hawaii in 12-15 minutes.

We are reminded of our frailty in a world where utter destruction is not only possible, it is threatened offhandedly in a tweet. Where do we find refuge amidst the potential chaos? How do we construct the illusion of safety in a climate of fear? And when do we begin to believe the panic online?

As we slowly learn the physical repercussions of digital fear, this work draws influence from sinister Russian propaganda, false missile alerts, designer bunkers and the fake news epidemic.