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Performance at the End of the Twentieth Century: A Comprehensive Overview

Mikhail Bulgakov

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Published in On Edge: Performance At The End Of The Twentieth Century

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Performance art emerged as a significant art movement in the late 1950s and gained prominence throughout the 1960s and 1970s. It challenged traditional notions of art and pushed the boundaries of artistic expression by incorporating elements of theater, dance, and visual art. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of performance art at the end of the twentieth century, examining its key characteristics, influences, and major artists, as well as analyzing its lasting impact on the art world and beyond.

On Edge: Performance at the End of the Twentieth Century

by C. Carr

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	377 pages

Key Characteristics of Performance Art at the End of the Twentieth Century

Performance art at the end of the twentieth century was characterized by several key features that distinguished it from other art forms:

Ephemerality: Performance art is often considered ephemeral, as it exists only in the moment of its creation and cannot be physically preserved in the same way as paintings or sculptures.
Audience Participation: Performers often directly engaged with the audience, breaking down the traditional barrier between artist and viewer and creating a more immersive and participatory experience.
Site-Specificity: Performances often took place in unconventional locations, such as warehouses, abandoned buildings, or public spaces, challenging the traditional idea of the gallery or museum as the sole venue for art.
Interdisciplinary Nature: Performance art often combined elements from various disciplines, such as theater, dance, music, and visual art, creating a multi-layered and dynamic artistic experience.

Influences on Performance Art at the End of the Twentieth Century

The development of performance art at the end of the twentieth century was influenced by a number of factors, including:

Postmodernism: Postmodernism's emphasis on deconstruction, fragmentation, and the rejection of grand narratives and traditional art forms laid the foundation for the emergence of performance art.
Fluxus Movement: The Fluxus movement, which emerged in the 1960s, rejected traditional art practices and emphasized the importance of play, spontaneity, and audience participation, influencing the development of performance art.
Political and Social Context: The tumultuous political and social events of the 1960s and 1970s, such as the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement, inspired many performance artists to address social and political issues in their work.

Major Artists of Performance Art at the End of the Twentieth Century

Some of the most influential performance artists of the late twentieth century include:

Allan Kaprow (1927-2006): Kaprow is considered one of the pioneers of performance art and developed the concept of "Happenings," large-scale, immersive performances that involved the participation of the audience.
Marina Abramović (born 1946): Abramović's performances explore themes of physical endurance, vulnerability, and the relationship between artist and audience.
Vito Acconci (1940-2017): Acconci's performances often involved physical and psychological self-exploration and challenged the boundaries of personal space and intimacy.
Bruce Nauman (born 1941): Nauman's performances often dealt with themes of identity, isolation, and the body, using video and installation as mediums.
Yoko Ono (born 1933): Ono's performances addressed issues of peace, feminism, and the role of the artist in society.

Impact of Performance Art at the End of the Twentieth Century

Performance art at the end of the twentieth century had a profound impact on the art world and beyond:

Challenging Traditional Art Practices: Performance art challenged traditional notions of art, expanding the boundaries of what was considered artistic and blurring the lines between different disciplines.
Redefining the Role of the Artist: Performance art gave artists a more active and participatory role in creating and presenting their work, allowing them to directly engage with audiences and explore personal and societal issues.
Influencing Other Art Forms: Performance art influenced other art forms, such as theater, dance, and film, and contributed to the development of more experimental and interdisciplinary approaches.
Expanding the Concept of Audience: Performance art broke down the traditional separation between artist and audience, encouraging active participation and challenging the passive role of the viewer.

Performance art at the end of the twentieth century was a dynamic and transformative movement that challenged traditional art practices and pushed the boundaries of artistic expression. Characterized by ephemerality, audience participation, site-specificity, and interdisciplinary nature, it was influenced by postmodernism, the Fluxus movement, and the political and social context of the time. Major artists such as Allan Kaprow, Marina Abramović, Vito Acconci, Bruce Nauman, and Yoko Ono played a significant role in shaping the movement. Performance art had a profound impact on the art world, expanding the concept of art, redefining the role of the artist, influencing other art forms, and engaging audiences in new and participatory ways. Its legacy continues to inspire and influence contemporary art practices today.

On Edge: Performance at the End of the Twentieth Century

by C. Carr

4.6 out of 5