Brainwashing

This performance critically examines authoritarian control and systemic oppression through a striking visual and conceptual metaphor. The piece presents a brain placed on a pedestal—a symbol of intellect, consciousness, and identity—being meticulously washed, evoking the invasive process of ideological conditioning. A soldier stands guard, enforcing the boundary between the audience and the brain, embodying the rigid, hierarchical structures that dictate and manipulate thought. Yet, the soldier is not an infallible enforcer; occasional lapses in vigilance expose the cracks within these power structures, revealing the inherent instability of oppressive systems.

Blurring the line between ritual and satire, “Brainwashing” questions the mechanisms of obedience, surveillance, and ideological conformity. The performance invites the audience to reflect on the nature of control—who enforces it, who submits to it, and whether true autonomy can exist within such a framework. Tudić’s work resonates with themes of power, resistance, and transformation, ultimately suggesting that no system, however rigid, is immune to decay and subversion.

About this artwork

Brainwashing is part of Neven Tudić’s broader exploration of authority, autonomy, and the fragile constructs that govern human behavior. This original artwork builds on his ongoing engagement with themes of surveillance, indoctrination, and resistance, using theatrical and symbolic elements to expose the absurdity and vulnerability of oppressive systems. Through performative interventions, Tudić challenges viewers to reconsider their own roles within these structures and the potential for collective agency in dismantling them.