Glossary

9.2 Key figures in performance art

13 min read•august 21, 2024

Performance art emerged in the mid-20th century, challenging traditional art forms. This avant-garde movement emphasized live action, audience participation, and blurred boundaries between art and life, reflecting broader cultural shifts and new forms of expression.

Key figures like , , and pushed boundaries in endurance, conceptual art, and social sculpture. Their work explored themes of body limits, peace activism, and political engagement, influencing generations of artists and expanding the definition of art.

Origins of performance art

  • Performance art emerged as a distinct artistic practice in the mid-20th century, challenging traditional forms of visual art and theater
  • This avant-garde movement emphasized live action, audience participation, and the blurring of boundaries between art and life
  • Performance art's development reflects broader cultural shifts in the 20th century, including the questioning of artistic conventions and the exploration of new forms of expression

Early 20th century precursors

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  • Futurist performances in Italy (1910s) incorporated noise, technology, and provocative actions
  • Dadaist events at Cabaret Voltaire in Zurich (1916) featured absurdist poetry readings and unconventional musical performances
  • Surrealist automatism techniques influenced spontaneous and subconscious-driven performances
  • Bauhaus school's experimental theater workshops (1920s) explored the integration of visual arts, dance, and technology

Influence of Dada movement

  • Rejection of traditional artistic values and embrace of irrationality and chance
  • Use of found objects and everyday materials in performances (readymades)
  • Incorporation of audience participation and provocation as artistic strategies
  • Influence on later movements like and through emphasis on anti-art and spontaneity

Fluxus and Happenings

  • Fluxus movement (1960s) emphasized simplicity, anti-commercialism, and the merging of different artistic disciplines
  • George Maciunas organized Fluxus festivals featuring collaborative performances and interventions
  • Allan Kaprow coined the term "Happenings" for participatory events blurring art and life
  • Happenings often involved improvisation, audience involvement, and unconventional spaces (streets, galleries)
  • Influence on later performance art through emphasis on process over product and breaking down barriers between artist and audience

Marina Abramović

  • Known as the "grandmother of performance art" for her influential and groundbreaking work since the 1970s
  • Abramović's performances often explore themes of endurance, pain, and the limits of the human body and mind
  • Her work has significantly impacted the field of performance art, inspiring generations of artists and pushing boundaries of what is considered art

Pioneering endurance performances

  • "Rhythm" series (1973-1974) involved self-inflicted pain and loss of consciousness
  • "The Artist is Present" (2010) at MoMA featured Abramović sitting silently for over 700 hours
  • "House with the Ocean View" (2002) lived in a gallery for 12 days without food, speaking, or privacy
  • These performances challenged notions of time, endurance, and the relationship between artist and audience

Exploration of body limits

  • "Thomas Lips" (1975) involved self-flagellation and lying on ice blocks
  • "Balkan Baroque" (1997) scrubbed bloody cow bones for six days to address war trauma
  • "Seven Easy Pieces" (2005) recreated iconic performance pieces, testing physical and mental limits
  • Abramović's work often pushes the boundaries of physical and psychological endurance, questioning the nature of human resilience

Audience interaction techniques

  • "Imponderabilia" (1977) required audience to squeeze between two nude performers to enter gallery
  • "The House with the Ocean View" allowed visitors to observe Abramović's daily activities
  • "512 Hours" (2014) at Serpentine Gallery involved direct audience participation in simple actions
  • Abramović's interactive performances blur the line between performer and spectator, creating shared experiences and challenging traditional art viewing

Yoko Ono

  • Multidisciplinary artist known for her contributions to conceptual art, performance, and music
  • Ono's work often explores themes of peace, feminism, and audience participation
  • Her artistic practice has significantly influenced the development of performance art and conceptual art since the 1960s

Conceptual art contributions

  • "Instruction Paintings" series (1960s) provided written instructions for viewers to complete artworks mentally
  • "Cut Piece" (1964) invited audience members to cut pieces of her clothing, exploring vulnerability and trust
  • "Wish Tree" installations encourage public participation by writing wishes on paper and tying them to trees
  • Ono's conceptual works challenge traditional notions of art-making and emphasize the importance of ideas over physical objects

Fluxus movement involvement

  • Participated in early Fluxus events and exhibitions organized by George Maciunas
  • "Grapefruit" (1964) book of instructions exemplified Fluxus principles of simplicity and
  • Collaborated with John Cage and other Fluxus artists on performances and happenings
  • Ono's involvement in Fluxus helped shape the movement's emphasis on everyday actions as art and the blurring of art and life

Peace activism through performance

  • "Bed-In for Peace" (1969) with John Lennon used their honeymoon as a platform for peace advocacy
  • "War Is Over! (If You Want It)" campaign (1969) utilized billboards and posters to spread message of peace
  • "Imagine Peace Tower" (2007) in Iceland serves as a permanent light installation and memorial to John Lennon
  • Ono's performances and installations often incorporate themes of peace, encouraging audience reflection and action on global issues

Joseph Beuys

  • German artist known for his influential work in sculpture, performance, and social activism
  • Beuys expanded the definition of art to include social and political engagement
  • His artistic practice and theories have had a lasting impact on contemporary art and performance

Social sculpture concept

  • Developed the idea of "social sculpture" as art that shapes society and politics
  • "7000 Oaks" project (1982) involved planting trees paired with basalt columns to transform urban environment
  • "Free International University" (1973) aimed to foster creativity and interdisciplinary learning outside traditional institutions
  • Beuys believed that everyone has the potential to be an artist and that art could be a catalyst for social change

Shamanic performances

  • "How to Explain Pictures to a Dead Hare" (1965) featured Beuys with face covered in honey and gold leaf, cradling a dead hare
  • "I Like America and America Likes Me" (1974) spent three days in a gallery with a live coyote
  • These performances drew on Beuys' personal mythology and explored themes of healing and transformation
  • Beuys often incorporated materials like felt and fat, which held personal significance related to his wartime experiences

Art as political activism

  • "Organization for Direct Democracy Through Referendum" (1971) advocated for participatory democracy
  • Ran for European Parliament as a member of the German Green Party in 1979
  • "Honeypump at the Workplace" (1977) at Documenta 6 symbolized the circulation of ideas in society
  • Beuys used his art and performances as platforms to address political issues and promote social change, influencing later activist art movements

Carolee Schneemann

  • American artist known for her groundbreaking work in performance art, film, and installation
  • Schneemann's work often explores themes of gender, sexuality, and the body
  • Her contributions to feminist performance art have had a lasting impact on the field

Feminist performance art

  • "Interior Scroll" (1975) involved reading from a scroll extracted from her vagina, challenging male-dominated art world
  • "Meat Joy" (1964) featured partially nude performers interacting with raw meat, fish, and poultry
  • "Fuses" (1964-67) film depicted intimate scenes of Schneemann and her partner, challenging pornographic gaze
  • Schneemann's performances confronted taboos surrounding female sexuality and bodily functions

Body as artistic medium

  • "Up to and Including Her Limits" (1973-76) used her suspended body to create drawings
  • "Eye Body: 36 Transformative Actions" (1963) incorporated her nude body into assemblage environments
  • "Water Light/Water Needle" (1966) featured performers moving on ropes and pulleys, exploring bodily movement in space
  • Schneemann's use of her own body as a medium challenged traditional notions of the artist as separate from the artwork

Challenging gender norms

  • "Vesper's Stampede to My Holy Mouth" (1992) explored female sexual pleasure and agency
  • "Blood Work Diary" (1972) documented menstrual blood on tissue paper, destigmatizing female bodily processes
  • "ABC - We Print Anything - In The Cards" (1976-77) used text to explore gender roles and expectations
  • Schneemann's work consistently pushed boundaries and confronted societal taboos surrounding female bodies and sexuality

Chris Burden

  • American artist known for his controversial and often dangerous performance pieces
  • Burden's work explored themes of personal risk, endurance, and societal violence
  • His performances and later sculptural works have had a significant impact on contemporary art

Extreme physical performances

  • "Shoot" (1971) involved Burden being shot in the arm by an assistant with a rifle
  • "Trans-fixed" (1974) featured the artist nailed to the back of a Volkswagen Beetle
  • "Through the Night Softly" (1973) crawled over broken glass wearing only underwear
  • These performances pushed the boundaries of physical endurance and challenged notions of art and spectatorship

Critique of violence in media

  • "TV Hijack" (1972) held a TV host hostage during a live broadcast
  • "747" (1973) fired shots at a passing airplane, questioning the normalization of violence
  • "Show the Hole" (1980) invited viewers to look down the barrel of a loaded rifle
  • Burden's performances often highlighted the desensitization to violence in media and society

Conceptual installations

  • "Samson" (1985) linked gallery entrance to a 100-ton jack pressing against the building's walls
  • "The Other Vietnam Memorial" (1991) listed 3 million Vietnamese names on copper plates
  • "Urban Light" (2008) features 202 restored street lamps at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art
  • Burden's later works shifted to large-scale installations that continued to explore themes of power, technology, and social structures

Vito Acconci

  • American artist known for his provocative performance and video works
  • Acconci's art often explored themes of body, space, and interpersonal relationships
  • His work significantly influenced the development of performance and conceptual art in the 1960s and 1970s

Performance in public spaces

  • "Following Piece" (1969) involved following random strangers in New York City until they entered a private space
  • "Seedbed" (1972) masturbated under a gallery floor ramp while visitors walked above
  • "Claim" (1971) sat blindfolded at the bottom of stairs, threatening visitors with a metal pipe and knife
  • These performances challenged notions of public and private space, and the relationship between artist and audience

Exploration of personal boundaries

  • "Trademarks" (1970) bit various parts of his body and applied ink to the marks
  • "Conversions" (1971) series explored gender and body transformation through various actions
  • "Remote Control" (1971) featured Acconci and Kathy Dillon bound together in separate rooms, communicating via video
  • Acconci's work often pushed the boundaries of personal comfort and social norms, questioning identity and interpersonal relationships

Transition to architecture

  • Formed Acconci Studio in 1988, focusing on architectural and landscape design projects
  • "Island on the Mur" (2003) in Graz, Austria, created a floating platform with amphitheater and playground
  • "Walkways Through the Wall" (1998) at Milwaukee Art Museum featured moving walkways and screens
  • Acconci's shift to architecture and design maintained his interest in the relationship between bodies and space, now on a larger scale

Laurie Anderson

  • American artist known for her innovative multimedia performances and music
  • Anderson's work often combines technology, storytelling, and visual art
  • Her contributions have significantly influenced performance art, electronic music, and multimedia art

Multimedia performances

  • "United States I-IV" (1983) eight-hour performance combining music, visuals, and spoken word
  • "Home of the Brave" (1986) concert film featuring elaborate stage sets and costumes
  • "Songs and Stories from Moby Dick" (1999-2000) reimagined Herman Melville's novel through music and visuals
  • Anderson's performances integrate various media to create immersive, narrative-driven experiences

Technology in performance art

  • Invented the "tape-bow violin" using magnetic tape instead of horsehair on the bow
  • Created the "talking stick," an electronic instrument that can access and play different sounds
  • "Puppet Motel" (1995) CD-ROM artwork explored interactive digital environments
  • Anderson's use of technology in her performances has pushed the boundaries of what is possible in live art

Storytelling through performance

  • "O Superman" (1981) combined spoken word and electronic music to comment on American culture
  • "The End of the Moon" (2004) performance piece reflecting on her experiences as NASA's first artist-in-residence
  • "Heart of a Dog" (2015) film exploring themes of love, death, and memory
  • Anderson's performances often weave personal anecdotes with broader cultural and philosophical reflections

Tehching Hsieh

  • Taiwanese-American performance artist known for his extreme, year-long performances
  • Hsieh's work explores themes of time, endurance, and the relationship between art and life
  • His performances have had a significant impact on conceptual and durational art practices

Year-long durational performances

  • "One Year Performance 1978–1979 (Cage Piece)" lived in a cage without reading, writing, or entertainment
  • "One Year Performance 1980–1981 (Time Clock Piece)" punched a time clock every hour for a year
  • "One Year Performance 1981–1982 (Outdoor Piece)" stayed outdoors in New York City for a year
  • These performances pushed the limits of physical and mental endurance, challenging notions of art and everyday life

Exploration of time and confinement

  • "Art/Life One Year Performance 1983-1984 (Rope Piece)" with Linda Montano, tied together with an 8-foot rope for a year
  • "One Year Performance 1985–1986 (No Art Piece)" did not make, view, or talk about art for a year
  • "Thirteen Year Plan" (1986-1999) made art in private, then declared "I kept myself alive"
  • Hsieh's work often involves self-imposed restrictions, exploring the passage of time and the nature of existence

Art and life integration

  • Hsieh's performances blur the distinction between art and everyday life
  • Documentation of performances through photographs, time cards, and maps becomes part of the artwork
  • Influence on later durational performance artists and conceptual art practices
  • Hsieh's work raises questions about the nature of art, the value of labor, and the human experience of time

Performance art collectives

  • Performance art collectives emerged as a way to create collaborative, often politically engaged works
  • These groups often challenge traditional notions of individual authorship in art
  • Collective performance art has played a significant role in addressing social and political issues through artistic practice

Guerrilla Girls vs Yes Men

  • Guerrilla Girls (founded 1985) use gorilla masks to maintain anonymity while addressing sexism and racism in art world
  • Guerrilla Girls create posters, billboards, and public actions to highlight gender and racial inequality in museums and galleries
  • The Yes Men (founded 1996) use impersonation and hoaxes to critique corporate and governmental policies
  • Yes Men's performances often involve posing as representatives of organizations to expose unethical practices

Collaborative performance strategies

  • Critical Art Ensemble combines performance, technology, and activism to address issues of biotechnology and surveillance
  • Forced Entertainment (UK) creates experimental theater and durational performances exploring contemporary culture
  • Goat Island (1987-2009) developed collaborative, research-based performances addressing social and philosophical themes
  • These collectives often employ strategies such as consensus decision-making, role-rotation, and shared authorship

Social activism through art

  • Gran Fury used graphic design and public interventions to raise awareness about the AIDS crisis in the 1980s and 1990s
  • Pussy Riot combines punk rock performances with political protest in Russia
  • Tania Bruguera's "Immigrant Movement International" (2010-ongoing) creates a community space for immigrant rights
  • Performance collectives often use public spaces, media interventions, and participatory strategies to engage with social issues

Contemporary performance artists

  • Contemporary performance artists continue to push boundaries and explore new forms of expression
  • Many artists incorporate technology, audience participation, and interdisciplinary approaches in their work
  • Current performance art often addresses pressing social, political, and environmental issues

Tino Sehgal's constructed situations

  • Creates "constructed situations" involving choreographed interactions between performers and audience
  • "This Progress" (2010) at Guggenheim Museum featured staged conversations with visitors
  • "These Associations" (2012) at Tate Modern involved performers moving and interacting with audience in large groups
  • Sehgal's work challenges traditional notions of art objects, often leaving no physical trace of the performance

Ragnar Kjartansson's endurance pieces

  • Icelandic artist known for durational performances and video installations
  • "The End" (2009) performed and painted for six months at
  • "A Lot of Sorrow" (2013-14) featured The National performing one song repeatedly for six hours
  • Kjartansson's work often explores themes of repetition, endurance, and the intersection of performance and visual art

Marina Abramović Institute impact

  • Founded in 2010 to preserve and promote long-durational work
  • Developed the "Abramović Method" for audience participation in durational performances
  • "512 Hours" (2014) at Serpentine Gallery involved visitors in simple, meditative actions
  • The institute's work has influenced a new generation of performance artists and expanded public engagement with the medium

Legacy and influence

  • Performance art has had a profound impact on contemporary art practices and cultural discourse
  • The genre continues to evolve, incorporating new technologies and addressing current social issues
  • Performance art's influence extends beyond the art world, affecting theater, music, and popular culture

Performance art in museums

  • Increased presence of performance art in major museums and galleries since the 1990s
  • Challenges of preserving and exhibiting ephemeral performances (documentation, re-performance)
  • Tate Modern's dedication of the Tanks space to performance and installation art in 2012
  • MoMA's establishment of a performance art department in 2009, signaling institutional recognition
  • Lady Gaga's incorporation of performance art elements in music videos and live performances
  • Jay-Z's "Picasso Baby" (2013) performance at Pace Gallery, inspired by Marina Abramović
  • Increased visibility of performance art techniques in advertising and marketing campaigns
  • Influence on immersive theater experiences like "Sleep No More" and "Then She Fell"

Digital age adaptations

  • Live-streaming performances allow for global audience participation (Marina Abramović's "The Artist Is Present" online platform)
  • Virtual reality and augmented reality used to create immersive performance experiences
  • Social media platforms as spaces for durational or interactive performances (Amalia Ulman's Instagram performance "Excellences & Perfections")
  • Online performance collectives and networked performances exploring digital connectivity and identity

Key Terms to Review (19)

Aesthetic experience: Aesthetic experience refers to a heightened perception and appreciation of beauty, art, or performance that often evokes emotional and intellectual responses. This experience is subjective, allowing individuals to engage with art in a way that transcends ordinary experiences, often leading to a sense of connection with the work, the artist, or broader cultural contexts. In the realms of performance art and ethnography, aesthetic experiences can serve as a vehicle for understanding complex human emotions and cultural narratives.
Audience engagement: Audience engagement refers to the interaction and connection between performers and their viewers, which enhances the overall experience and meaning of a performance. This concept is crucial as it influences how audiences perceive, interpret, and respond to various forms of performance, thereby shaping the significance and impact of the work presented.
Body art: Body art is a form of artistic expression that uses the human body as a canvas, incorporating techniques such as tattooing, piercing, and body painting. This genre often challenges traditional notions of art and the body, blurring the lines between performance and visual art. It is closely linked to endurance performances, where the physical limits of the artist are tested, creating a powerful dialogue about pain, identity, and the human experience.
Dadaism: Dadaism was an avant-garde art movement that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by its rejection of traditional artistic values and its embrace of absurdity, chaos, and spontaneity. It aimed to challenge conventional notions of art and society, influencing various forms of performance and experimental art that followed, creating connections to key figures in performance art, innovative happenings, and protest performances that sought to disrupt societal norms.
Embodiment: Embodiment refers to the physical manifestation of identity, experience, and cultural practices through the body. It connects the mind and body, illustrating how our physical presence influences and shapes our interactions, performances, and understandings of culture and society.
Ephemerality: Ephemerality refers to the quality of being short-lived or transient, often highlighting the fleeting nature of experiences, particularly in performance art. This concept emphasizes that performance art exists only in the moment it is presented, without a permanent physical form, which distinguishes it from other art forms like painting or sculpture. This transitory aspect of ephemerality contributes to its emotional impact and the unique connection between the performer and the audience.
Fluxus: Fluxus is an avant-garde art movement that emerged in the 1960s, characterized by its emphasis on the idea of art as a process rather than a finished product. It challenged traditional boundaries between art and life, promoting interdisciplinary practices and often incorporating elements of performance, music, and visual art. The movement sought to engage audiences in the creation of art experiences, emphasizing spontaneity and collaboration.
Happenings: Happenings are spontaneous, often theatrical events that blend performance, visual art, and audience interaction, typically characterized by their emphasis on the process of creation rather than a specific outcome. They emerged in the late 1950s and early 1960s as part of a movement to break away from traditional art forms, focusing instead on the experience of art-making itself. This approach significantly influenced the development of performance art, leading to new ways of engaging with audiences and redefining the boundaries between artist and viewer.
Interactive performance: Interactive performance is a form of artistic expression where the audience actively engages with the performance, influencing its direction and outcome. This type of performance blurs the lines between performer and spectator, allowing for a shared experience that can vary with each presentation. It often employs technology or physical interaction to create a unique environment where audience participation is essential.
Joseph Beuys: Joseph Beuys was a German performance artist, sculptor, and activist known for his influential role in the development of contemporary art and performance art. His work often combined elements of social and political commentary, utilizing materials such as fat, felt, and natural forms to express ideas about healing, community, and the potential for transformation through art.
Marina abramović: Marina Abramović is a renowned performance artist known for her groundbreaking work that explores the relationship between the performer and the audience, often pushing the limits of endurance and emotional expression. Her art frequently involves the body as a medium, utilizing themes of vulnerability, presence, and the passage of time, making her a pivotal figure in contemporary performance art and a significant influence on modern practices.
Performa: Performa is a term used in performance studies to describe the act of performing, encompassing both the physical action and the social context of the event. This concept emphasizes the way performance is not just an isolated act but is influenced by cultural, political, and historical factors, shaping its meaning and reception. Understanding performa allows us to analyze how artists and audiences interact, as well as how performance evolves in contemporary practices.
Performance as resistance: Performance as resistance refers to the use of performance art as a means to challenge, disrupt, or critique social, political, and cultural norms. This concept emphasizes how artists and performers can use their bodies and actions to oppose oppressive systems and advocate for marginalized voices. Through this form of expression, individuals create spaces for dialogue and reflection, often highlighting issues like identity, power dynamics, and social justice.
Postmodernism: Postmodernism is an artistic, cultural, and intellectual movement that emerged in the mid-20th century as a reaction against the established norms of modernism. It is characterized by skepticism towards grand narratives and ideologies, embracing fragmentation, ambiguity, and a questioning of the notion of authenticity. This concept deeply influences various fields, intertwining with performance to blur boundaries between disciplines, challenge traditional ideas of identity, and engage with new forms of expression through technology and social media.
Queer performance theory: Queer performance theory examines the ways in which performance art can challenge and subvert traditional notions of gender and sexuality. It emphasizes the fluidity of identity and the importance of representation, often questioning normative frameworks surrounding what is considered 'acceptable' behavior in society. This theory highlights how performance serves as a medium to express diverse experiences and realities of queer individuals, ultimately advocating for inclusivity and visibility.
Site-specific performance: Site-specific performance refers to a type of performance that is created for, and is intended to exist in, a specific location, often engaging with the unique characteristics of that space. This kind of performance challenges traditional notions of theater by utilizing the environment, architecture, and community context as integral elements of the artistic experience.
The Venice Biennale: The Venice Biennale is a prestigious international art exhibition that takes place every two years in Venice, Italy, showcasing contemporary art and performance. It serves as a significant platform for artists from around the globe to present their work, engage with new ideas, and interact with a diverse audience, making it a key event in the performance art scene.
Theory of the performative: The theory of the performative refers to the idea that language and actions can create realities rather than merely describe them. It emphasizes how performance can shape identity, social interactions, and cultural norms by producing effects in the world through performative utterances and actions. This theory connects deeply with how art and performance challenge or reinforce societal structures.
Yoko Ono: Yoko Ono is an influential artist, musician, and peace activist known for her pioneering work in performance art and avant-garde movements. Her innovative approach to art and life has inspired a generation of artists and emphasized the importance of audience participation and social commentary in the realm of artistic expression.
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