Virtual Humanity takes Human Library's one-on-one conversations online
Amid pandemic isolation, the project that lets you connect with a stranger has never been so needed
The Danish-born Human Library inspired the new virtual project by Zee Zee Theatre. Photo by Tina Krueger Kulic
Zee Zee Theatre presents Virtual Humanity on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 3 pm from March 6 to 28
REFUGEE. DRAG Queen Business Tycoon. Born-Again Christian. Coke Whore. Those are just a few of the human “book” titles Vancouverites have been able to check out as part of Zee Zee Theatre’s Human Library project over the years.
The Human Library began in Copenhagen in 2000 by a collective called Stop the Violence: you would check out a real person and spend time listening to their story—one you might not hear otherwise. It’s become a worldwide phenomenon, praised for giving voice to the marginalized and closing the divide between disparate people, and made its debut here eight years ago as part of the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival.
In these pandemic times, of course, Zee Zee can’t introduce strangers in person in the same way. But recognizing we’re more desperate for connection than ever during pandemic isolation, the theatre company has devised an online alternative called Virtual Humanity instead.
For the new show, participants can select a title from the collection of more than 30 “Virtual Humans”, then engage in a one-one-one digital conversation over Zoom with that person over the course of 20 minutes.
Jordy Matheson. Photo by Ian Redd
“We realized that simple act of talking to a person, sharing their story, having them listen and ask questions: that basic interaction can still exist online,” explains producer Jordy Matheson. “Everything has been heightened with COVID times: we’re more alone, we’re even more likely to be online and everybody has masks on, so we have this hesitancy. There’s a real lack in our culture right now of spontaneous conversations.”
The world today feels more divided and isolating than pre-pandemic. But the theatre artist observes, “Every year there’s a necessity for people to get the opportunity to see each other face to face and have real vulnerable conversations, without the mediating boundary of Facebook messages or Twitter posts.”
The new Virtual Humanity is co-curated by Sam Chimes and Bunny (Daisy Joe) with an emphasis on representation from BIPOC communities.
Human titles this year include Perspective of a Mixed Man, Indigi-Queer Identities, How Hunger Fed Me, I am not a scammer, Freedom From Trauma, and more. Matheson says a few of the stories relate directly to the pandemic.
In helping the Virtual Humans choose their “title”, the Zee Zee team tries to ask them to think about the misconception they would most like to explain about themselves. “It comes from a place of agency and giving people ownership of their lived experience can be empowering,” he explains. “It’s a claiming of your story.”
He encourages visitors to pick the topics they’re most scared of or curious about. And if, by listening and asking questions, they form even a bit of a connection, Virtual Humanity will have achieved some real-world change.
“We pass down the street and we don’t even realize the ways that people are marginalized," Matheson says. "We make assumptions about people and I think this project really helps break through assumptions."
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