When AI kills Faust

When AI kills Faust

A dramatic monologue by Theo Dirix, with musical interludes by Elke Robersscheuten.

Theo Dirix and Elke Robersscheuten are a Belgian duo known for their evocative appearance, such as A Necromantic Night and Vesalian Landscapes, previously presented in Belgium and Greece. Their latest collaboration, When AI kills Faust, again delves into cultural reflections.

In the metaphorical setting of Treno sto Rouf, they explore the decline of Western culture through the lens of Faust.

The central figure, a Faustian character portrayed by Theo, embodies a Nietzsche-inspired persona-full of self-esteem and self-consciousness-who confronts the unraveling of modern humanity. Through this character, the passengers embark on an odyssey examining humanity's pact with the demonic, the false promises of fluidity-whether in identity, morality, or boundaries-that culminate in transhumanism, and the ultimate rejection of death.

This performance weaves spoken word, philosophical reflections, and evocative piano music into a journey that is both literal and symbolic. The narrative draws on key literary fragments from Doctor Faustus by Thomas Mann, Faust by Goethe, and the legend of the Golem.
Piano compositions by Philip Glass, Piet Swerts, Ernst Bloch, and even Friedrich Nietzsche himself underscore the performance with a haunting, minimalist score.

When AI kills Faust offers a contemplative reflection on the crisis of Western civilization and the inevitability of its fall. The train setting becomes the perfect metaphor for this journey, moving steadily toward its final destination.