Performance art

Defining Performance Art

• Performance art is a live artistic practice that uses the human body as a medium, often extending to include spoken word, theatrical elements, dance, music, or visual design.
• It can exist in any setting, from traditional theatre stages to street corners, gallery spaces, or via digital platforms.
• The work is usually concept-driven, transient and ephemeral, happening in real time and often responding to contemporary issues or socio-political contexts.

Key Features of Performance Art

• Interactivity and audience participation: Some performance artists encourage viewers to participate, blurring the line between spectator and participant.
• Temporal nature of the artwork: Performance art is time-based and often inherently ephemeral, existing for a specific duration before it ends.
• Physicality and bodily presence: The artist’s body is typically at the heart of the artwork and can be used in expressive or symbolic ways.
• Incorporation of various art forms: Performance art often integrates aspects of theatre, dance, music, or other artistic disciplines.

Exploring Techniques

• Spoken word and vocal performance: Performance artists may use their voice to deliver monologues, poetry, or vocal sound effects.
• Body movements and dance: Emphasising the use of the body, artists might choreograph specific movements, or utilise dance principles.
• Use of props and costumes: Objects, costumes, or set designs may be used to visually enhance or contextualise the work.
• Multi-disciplinary methods: Artists may combine video projections, sound design, or visual art techniques within performances.

Historical and Contemporary Examples

• Marina Abramović’s ‘The Artist is Present’: Abramović sat motionless in the Museum of Modern Art and invited members of the public to sit opposite her, challenging traditional boundaries between performer and audience.
• Yoko Ono’s ‘Cut Piece’: Ono invited the audience to cut away pieces of her clothing, reflecting on themes of vulnerability, aggression, and identity.
• Joseph Beuys’ ‘How to Explain Pictures to a Dead Hare’: In this enigmatic piece, Beuys spent three hours whispering to a dead hare while cradling it in his arms, exploring themes of communication and transformation.
• Adrian Piper’s ‘Mythic Being’: Piper used street performances and photography to inhabit a fictional persona that explored racial and gender stereotypes.

Understanding Performance Art Context

• Conceptual emphasis: Performance artwork typically revolves around a central thematic or conceptual idea that is explored through the performance.
• Cultural and political critique: Many performance pieces comment on sociopolitical or cultural issues, acting as public discourse or protest.
• Psychological and physical endurance: Some artists use their bodies to explore limits of endurance or discomfort, symbolic of broader human experiences.

Safety Considerations and Ethical Practices

• When creating performance art, it’s important to conduct risk assessments to ensure the safety of both the artist and the audience.
• Be aware of the potential emotional impact a performance could have on an audience, and consider warnings or support systems for intensely emotional or distressing work.
• Any audience participation should be undertaken ethically, ensuring participants’ consent and well-being.