Pinocchio was one of the first characters in world literature to confront a form of social control: indoctrination. Created by Carlo Collodi to be a “son”, he is subjected to punishment and reprimands whenever he strays from the norm and gives in to his desires. I use Pinocchio to reflect on the mechanisms of control operating in our society.

The logic of the capitalist system tends to homogenise individuals, establishing models of “normality” that determine who belongs and who is excluded. Those who do not conform to these models are discriminated against and pushed to the margins.

Pinocchio represents difference, discrimination and exclusion. Made of wood and turned into a puppet, he can never fully belong to the world of those who define normality. Through him, I evoke our own attempts to fit in, to be accepted and loved despite our differences.

Exhausted from never fitting in, from never being accepted, this Pinocchio finally collapses.