9.1 Origins of performance art

Performance art emerged as a distinct form in the 20th century, blending elements from ancient rituals, classical theater, and avant-garde movements. It challenges traditional artistic conventions by emphasizing the ephemeral nature of live events and using the artist's body as a primary medium.

Performance art explores the blurring of art and life, often involving audience participation and addressing social and political issues. Its legacy has influenced visual arts, theater, and popular culture, expanding our understanding of artistic expression and challenging societal norms.

Historical context

• Performance studies examines the evolution of performance art through various historical periods and cultural contexts
• Understanding the historical roots of performance art provides insights into its development as a distinct artistic form
• Ancient rituals, classical theater, and medieval performances laid the foundation for modern performance art practices

Ancient ritual practices

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• Ritualistic performances in prehistoric societies served religious and social functions
• Shamanic practices incorporated elements of dance, music, and storytelling to connect with spiritual realms
• Ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian cultures developed elaborate ceremonial performances (temple rituals, funerary rites)
• Indigenous cultures worldwide utilized performance in sacred ceremonies and rites of passage

Greek theater traditions

• Emerged in 6th century BCE as part of religious festivals honoring Dionysus
• Introduced key theatrical elements (chorus, dialogue, masks, amphitheater architecture)
• Tragedy and comedy genres developed, exploring human nature and societal issues
• Influential playwrights (Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides) shaped dramatic structure and themes

Medieval performance forms

• Religious plays and pageants dominated European performance during the Middle Ages
• Mystery plays depicted biblical stories and were performed in public spaces
• Morality plays used allegorical characters to teach moral lessons
• Secular performances included traveling minstrels, court jesters, and carnival celebrations
• Commedia dell'arte emerged in Italy, featuring improvised performances with stock characters

Avant-garde influences

• Avant-garde movements in the early 20th century challenged traditional artistic conventions
• These experimental approaches laid the groundwork for the emergence of performance art
• Performance studies examines how avant-garde ideas transformed the concept of live art

Futurism and Dadaism

• Futurism emerged in Italy in 1909, emphasizing speed, technology, and modernity
• Futurist performances (serate) incorporated noise music, poetry recitations, and provocative actions
• Dadaism arose in Zurich during World War I as a reaction against rationality and bourgeois culture
• Dada performances at Cabaret Voltaire featured absurdist poetry, nonsensical dialogues, and audience provocation
• Both movements challenged the boundaries between art forms and emphasized spontaneity

Surrealism and Expressionism

• Surrealism explored the unconscious mind and dream-like imagery in performance
• Surrealist performances incorporated automatic writing, chance operations, and unexpected juxtapositions
• Expressionism in theater emphasized emotional intensity and subjective experience
• Expressionist performances used distorted set designs, exaggerated gestures, and non-naturalistic acting styles
• Both movements influenced later performance artists in their exploration of inner psychological states

Happenings and Fluxus

• Happenings emerged in the late 1950s as unscripted, participatory events
• Allan Kaprow coined the term "Happenings" and organized multi-disciplinary performances
• Fluxus, founded by George Maciunas in 1960, emphasized simplicity and anti-commercialism in art
• Fluxus performances often involved everyday actions, chance operations, and audience interaction
• Both movements blurred the lines between art and life, influencing the development of performance art

Key figures and movements

• Performance studies examines influential artists and collectives who shaped the field of performance art
• These key figures introduced innovative concepts and techniques that expanded the boundaries of live art
• Understanding their contributions provides insight into the diverse approaches within performance art

Allan Kaprow

• American artist who coined the term "Happenings" in the late 1950s
• Pioneered participatory, multi-disciplinary events that blurred the line between art and everyday life
• Created scores or instructions for performances, emphasizing chance and improvisation
• Influential writings (Essays on the Blurring of Art and Life) theorized the relationship between art and experience
• Later works focused on "Activities," intimate performances exploring routine actions and gestures

Yoko Ono

• Japanese-American artist associated with Fluxus movement and conceptual art
• Created "instruction pieces" that invited audience participation and imagination
• "Cut Piece" (1964) explored themes of vulnerability, trust, and gender roles
• Collaborated with John Lennon on performance works (Bed-Ins for Peace)
• Continues to create participatory installations and performances addressing social and political issues

Vienna Actionists

• Radical performance art group active in Austria during the 1960s
• Members included Günter Brus, Otto Mühl, Hermann Nitsch, and Rudolf Schwarzkogler
• Engaged in extreme, often violent and taboo-breaking performances
• Explored themes of catharsis, ritual, and the limits of the body
• Influenced by psychoanalysis and aimed to confront societal repression through shocking actions

Characteristics of performance art

• Performance art distinguishes itself from traditional theater and visual arts through specific attributes
• These characteristics define the medium and inform its practice and reception
• Performance studies analyzes how these elements contribute to the creation and interpretation of live artworks

Ephemeral nature

• Performance art emphasizes the transient, time-based nature of the artwork
• Live events occur in a specific time and place, often without repetition
• Impermanence challenges traditional notions of art as a fixed, collectable object
• Documentation (photographs, videos) serves as a record but cannot fully capture the live experience
• Ephemerality raises questions about authenticity, preservation, and the value of momentary experiences

Body as medium

• Artists use their own bodies as the primary material and site of artistic expression
• Physical actions, gestures, and presence become central to the artwork's meaning
• Explores themes of identity, gender, sexuality, and cultural norms through bodily representation
• Endurance and risk often play a role in pushing physical and psychological limits
• Challenges the separation between artist and artwork, subject and object

Audience participation

• Many performance artworks actively involve spectators in the creation or completion of the piece
• Blurs traditional boundaries between performer and audience, active and passive roles
• Participation can range from simple interactions to complex, collaborative experiences
• Raises questions about authorship, agency, and the social dynamics of art-making
• Creates unique, unpredictable outcomes that vary with each performance

Conceptual foundations

• Performance art is grounded in philosophical and theoretical ideas that challenge traditional artistic paradigms
• These conceptual foundations inform the creation, interpretation, and analysis of performance works
• Performance studies examines how these ideas shape the practice and reception of live art

Art vs life dichotomy

• Performance art often seeks to blur or eliminate the distinction between art and everyday life
• Challenges the notion of art as a separate, elevated realm of human activity
• Incorporates mundane actions, found objects, and real-time experiences into artistic practice
• Explores the potential for aesthetic experiences in ordinary situations and contexts
• Raises questions about the nature of creativity and the role of the artist in society

Rejection of traditional forms

• Performance artists often deliberately break away from established artistic conventions
• Challenges the primacy of visual art objects (paintings, sculptures) as the primary mode of artistic expression
• Rejects the formal constraints of traditional theater (scripted dialogue, fixed stage)
• Embraces interdisciplinary approaches, combining elements from various art forms and disciplines
• Emphasizes experimentation, innovation, and the creation of new artistic languages

Emphasis on process

• Performance art often prioritizes the act of creation over the finished product
• Focuses on the unfolding of events, actions, and experiences in real-time
• Explores the potential for spontaneity, chance, and improvisation in artistic practice
• Documentation becomes a secondary concern, with the live event taking precedence
• Challenges traditional notions of artistic skill and craftsmanship in favor of conceptual rigor and experiential impact

Cultural and social impacts

• Performance art has significantly influenced cultural discourse and social movements
• The medium's ability to address contemporary issues directly and provocatively has made it a powerful tool for commentary and critique
• Performance studies examines how these works engage with and shape broader societal conversations

Challenging artistic norms

• Performance art disrupts conventional expectations of what constitutes "art"
• Expands the definition of artistic practice to include ephemeral, time-based, and participatory works
• Questions the role of institutions (museums, galleries) in determining artistic value
• Encourages audiences to reconsider their relationship to art and the creative process
• Influences other artistic disciplines, inspiring new forms of expression and presentation

Political and social commentary

• Many performance artists use their work to address pressing social and political issues
• Live performances create immediate, visceral experiences that can provoke thought and action
• Artists tackle themes (war, inequality, environmental crisis) through embodied, often confrontational actions
• Performance art has been used as a form of protest and resistance in various cultural contexts
• Raises awareness and generates dialogue around controversial or marginalized topics

Gender and identity exploration

• Performance art provides a platform for exploring and challenging societal norms around gender and identity
• Artists use their bodies and actions to question and subvert traditional gender roles and expectations
• LGBTQ+ artists have utilized performance to increase visibility and address issues of representation
• Feminist performance artists critique patriarchal structures and reclaim agency over female bodies
• Intersectional approaches examine the complex interplay of gender, race, class, and sexuality in identity formation

Documentation and preservation

• The ephemeral nature of performance art presents unique challenges for documentation and preservation
• Performance studies examines the various strategies used to record, archive, and transmit live artworks
• These methods raise questions about authenticity, interpretation, and the nature of the performance experience

Photography and film

• Visual documentation captures key moments and visual elements of performances
• Photographs provide static images that can be widely disseminated and studied
• Film and video recordings attempt to capture the temporal and spatial aspects of live events
• These media often become artworks in their own right, separate from the original performance
• Raises questions about the relationship between the live event and its mediated representation

Oral histories

• Interviews with artists, participants, and witnesses provide firsthand accounts of performances
• Captures subjective experiences, intentions, and contextual information not visible in visual documentation
• Allows for multiple perspectives and interpretations of the same event
• Preserves the artist's voice and conceptual framework for future study
• Challenges the notion of a single, authoritative version of a performance

Re-enactments and reconstructions

• Some performance artworks are recreated or reinterpreted by other artists or the original creators
• Allows audiences to experience historical performances in a live context
• Raises questions about authenticity, authorship, and the role of context in performance art
• Explores the tension between preservation and reinterpretation in time-based art
• Provides opportunities for critical reflection on the evolution of performance practices

Contemporary developments

• Performance art continues to evolve in response to technological advancements and cultural shifts
• New forms and approaches emerge as artists engage with contemporary issues and media
• Performance studies examines these developments to understand the current state and future directions of the field

Digital and virtual performances

• Artists incorporate digital technologies and online platforms into live performances
• Virtual reality and augmented reality create immersive, interactive experiences
• Live-streamed performances reach global audiences and challenge notions of presence
• Social media platforms become sites for durational or participatory performances
• Raises questions about embodiment, intimacy, and the nature of liveness in digital contexts

Interdisciplinary approaches

• Contemporary performance artists often work across multiple disciplines and media
• Collaborations between artists, scientists, and technologists push the boundaries of performance
• Integration of new technologies (AI, robotics, biotechnology) into live artworks
• Hybrid forms emerge, blending elements of theater, dance, visual art, and digital media
• Challenges traditional categorizations and encourages holistic approaches to artistic practice

Global perspectives

• Increased visibility and exchange between performance artists from diverse cultural backgrounds
• Non-Western performance traditions influence and expand the field of performance art
• Artists address global issues (climate change, migration, cultural identity) through localized perspectives
• Cultural hybridization and cross-pollination of performance practices
• Raises questions about cultural appropriation, representation, and the politics of global art circuits

Critical theories

• Performance studies draws on various theoretical frameworks to analyze and interpret performance art
• These critical approaches provide tools for understanding the complex relationships between artists, audiences, and society
• Examining performance art through different theoretical lenses reveals multiple layers of meaning and significance

Performance studies framework

• Interdisciplinary approach that examines performance as a mode of cultural production
• Draws on anthropology, sociology, theater studies, and cultural studies
• Analyzes performances in both artistic and everyday contexts
• Explores the relationship between performance and social rituals, identity formation, and power structures
• Key theorists (Richard Schechner, Peggy Phelan) have shaped the field's methodologies and concepts

Feminist interpretations

• Examines performance art through the lens of gender politics and feminist theory
• Analyzes how female artists use their bodies to challenge patriarchal norms and expectations
• Explores themes of agency, objectification, and the male gaze in performance works
• Considers the intersectionality of gender with race, class, and sexuality in performance practices
• Influential feminist performance artists (Carolee Schneemann, Adrian Piper) have expanded the field's scope

Postmodern critiques

• Applies postmodern theory to analyze the fragmentation and plurality in performance art
• Questions grand narratives and fixed meanings in favor of multiple interpretations
• Examines the role of pastiche, irony, and intertextuality in performance works
• Explores the breakdown of boundaries between high and low culture, art and life
• Considers how performance art challenges traditional notions of authorship and originality

Legacy and influence

• Performance art has had a significant impact on various aspects of contemporary culture and artistic practice
• Its influence extends beyond the art world, shaping popular culture and social movements
• Performance studies examines how the legacy of performance art continues to resonate in diverse fields

Impact on visual arts

• Performance art has expanded the definition of what constitutes a visual artwork
• Influenced the development of installation art, video art, and conceptual art practices
• Encouraged a shift towards process-based and participatory approaches in contemporary art
• Museums and galleries have adapted to accommodate live and time-based artworks
• Performance documentation has become a significant category of collectible art

Relationship to theater

• Performance art has challenged and influenced traditional theatrical practices
• Experimental theater incorporates elements of performance art (audience participation, non-linear narratives)
• Blurred boundaries between performance art and avant-garde theater (The Living Theatre, Wooster Group)
• Influenced acting techniques and approaches to embodiment on stage
• Raised questions about the nature of liveness and presence in theatrical contexts

Influence on popular culture

• Performance art aesthetics and strategies have been adopted in music videos, fashion shows, and advertising
• Celebrity culture and social media have embraced performance art-inspired stunts and interventions
• Performance art techniques have been used in activism and social movements (Pussy Riot, Black Lives Matter)
• Reality TV and live-streaming platforms echo performance art's emphasis on real-time experiences
• Raises questions about the commodification and mainstreaming of once-radical artistic practices