Rhinoceros

Initial Sketch

Poster for Cafe

Model Test

Stair

Lighting Test

Furniture Making

The inside-out aspect of
the wall breaks the original framework of the rectangular block, symbolizing an extraordinary defiance against authoritarianism. It emphasizes individual uniqueness and discusses the absurdity of societal changes.

The extend boundary adds to the tense atmosphere of rhinocerization in society, making the scenes on stage more compact and the choices facing the characters imminent.

Expanding the space
Amplify the absurdity

Rhinoceros is set in a small town where the inhabitants gradually turn into rhinoceroses. This surreal transformation starts subtly but soon becomes a widespread epidemic, leading to chaos and societal collapse. Set against post-WWII Europe's ideological extremes, it explores the individual's surrender to collective pressure and the abandonment of identity and critical thought.

Rhinoceros uses the absurd plot of humans turning into rhinoceroses as a metaphor for the process of individuals losing their sense of self and assimilating under collective pressure. This change symbolizes people's compliance and loss of individuality in the face of authoritarianism and collective frenzy.

RESEARCH & COLLAGE

In the play, the absurdity of the narrative is vividly portrayed through the transformation of people into rhinoceroses, a surreal phenomenon that gradually becomes a societal trend. This metamorphosis symbolizes the psychology of conformity and the emulation of mainstream behavior. In my design interpretation of the play, this sense of the absurd is intensified. The rhinoceroses, now inhabiting spaces once belonging to humans, appear overwhelmingly large, emphasizing the stark contrast between their new brute form and their past human existence.

Characters in the play, akin to replicas, lose their individual wills, embodying the play's critique of losing personal identity to collective thought. This is further highlighted by their contradictory actions, which lead to self-confrontation and realization. The setting of the play, as explicitly described in the script, is a multifaceted structure that combines elements of a residence, an office, and a café. This architectural choice not only serves the narrative but also symbolizes the interconnectedness of the characters' lives. It illustrates how the herd mentality incrementally erodes each individual's resistance, culminating in the isolation of the protagonist. This design approach aims to visually and spatially represent the play's exploration of themes such as individuality, conformity, and the absurdity of societal changes.

PROCESS

STORYBOARD

Act 1 Scene 1: In the Coffee House

The play opens in a cozy coffee house in the small town, where the main characters are introduced engaging in everyday conversations. This familiar and relaxed setting contrasts with the extraordinary events that will unfold, highlighting the intrusion of the absurd into the mundane.

MODELS

Act 1 Scene 2: The Office

The scene shifts to an office setting, where the impact of the rhinoceros phenomenon on the professional lives of the characters is explored. Discussions and debates among colleagues about the bizarre events provide insight into the varying perspectives and reactions within a structured environment.

Act 2 Scene 1: Amidst the Chaos

The townspeople witness the first rhinoceros. Initial reactions of shock, As the town descends into pandemonium with more people transforming into rhinoceroses, Berenger makes his way home, fraught with apprehension. He clings to the hope that his close ones, particularly Daisy, remain unaltered by the bizarre epidemic.

Act 1 Scene 3: The Transformation

A separate scene dedicated to the first transformation of a character into a rhinoceros. This pivotal moment is marked by confusion, fear, and a growing realization of the surreal reality engulfing the town.

Act 2 Scene 2: The Shower Scene

Berenger grapples with his thoughts and fears, symbolically trying to cleanse himself of the chaos around him. This intimate moment of solitude contrasts with the widespread transformations, highlighting his deepening sense of isolation and his struggle to maintain his humanity amidst the absurdity.

Act 2 Scene 3: The Confrontation Between Berenger and Daisy

Berenger faces his girlfriend, Daisy, who is teetering on the edge of transformation. The scene is a poignant culmination of their relationship and the broader narrative, highlighting Berenger's desperate fight to preserve their shared humanity in a world increasingly dominated by the absurd

Act 3 Scene 2: The Final Declaration

The play culminates with Berenger's powerful monologue. Standing amidst the remnants of the world he once knew, he delivers a passionate and defiant declaration of his humanity: "I'm the last man left, and I'm staying that way until the end. I'm not capitulating!"

Act 3 Scene 1: The Last Man Standing

Berenger finds himself utterly alone, the last human in a town overrun by rhinoceroses. The streets are eerily quiet, with only the distant sounds of the rhinoceroses echoing through the empty town.