1.
I don't think that "cross-pollination" with other mediums(film, images, technology, etc.) dilutes performance art into the other mediums. It may evolve and inform the performances of the future, but I think that performance art has the capability to influence and inform these other art forms as much as it has the potential of being influenced. If anything, the mediums will become more diverse and enriched by these intermingling art forms.
The future of performance art will be shaped and molded by those who practice it. It has and will continue to influence artistic mediums of every discipline.
A mainstream contemporary example of this is displayed in Jay Z's Picasso Baby: A Performance Art Film. Influenced by Marina Abramović's The Artist is Present, Jay Z raps on a small stage in a museum atrium while spectators are invited to take turns sitting opposite him, one at a time. Each spectator that did so received a personalized hip hop performance. Many artists, dancers, musicians, writers, actors(famous and not-so-famous alike) were in attendance, as well as Abramović herself. These artists eventually joined Jay Z on stage, performed for him in return, and the intimate space turned into a block-party. This mainstream artist sharing this type of performance is exactly how a medium like performance art will continue to influence other art forms, while staying true to itself. It is likely that many spectators of this performance(live and online) would have not been exposed to this type of art had Jay Z not been interested enough in performance art and held this event. One spectator says "You make yourself art. That's amazing!".
As Jay Z remarks in the video "we're artists, we're like cousins". Like minded creative people can and should work together to create new art, and help each other excel in each other's fields.
2.
When talking about historical events with people I am unfamiliar with, I like to ask where that person was when said events were occurring. This is a somewhat often occurrence when I encounter new people and they discover that I grew up in Louisiana. For several years after August 29th, 2005, most non-Louisianians would ask me if I faired well during Hurricane Katrina, assuming I had lost everything. I usually explained that while I had to endure some power outages and varying degrees of fallen foliage, I survived quite well considering. My family housed a family or two for several weeks and I had a lot of new classmates, but even my Baton Rouge experience of the storm was nothing like the thousands who had to endure being stranded in New Orleans and surrounding areas with very little support.
Just as I had no change in my daily life during Hurricane Sandy(though I may have had a better understanding of the situation because I am a Louisianan), many Americans had little to go on other that what they were seeing on TV in the aftermath of Katrina.
It is important to recognize that as theatre artists, if we want to represent an event and tell a story about it, we should make sure to present accurate depictions of the events that occurred. Getting information from the direct source is important. If we wish to influence our audience with an opinion, that is something different all together.
The future of performance art will be shaped and molded by those who practice it. It has and will continue to influence artistic mediums of every discipline.
A mainstream contemporary example of this is displayed in Jay Z's Picasso Baby: A Performance Art Film. Influenced by Marina Abramović's The Artist is Present, Jay Z raps on a small stage in a museum atrium while spectators are invited to take turns sitting opposite him, one at a time. Each spectator that did so received a personalized hip hop performance. Many artists, dancers, musicians, writers, actors(famous and not-so-famous alike) were in attendance, as well as Abramović herself. These artists eventually joined Jay Z on stage, performed for him in return, and the intimate space turned into a block-party. This mainstream artist sharing this type of performance is exactly how a medium like performance art will continue to influence other art forms, while staying true to itself. It is likely that many spectators of this performance(live and online) would have not been exposed to this type of art had Jay Z not been interested enough in performance art and held this event. One spectator says "You make yourself art. That's amazing!".
As Jay Z remarks in the video "we're artists, we're like cousins". Like minded creative people can and should work together to create new art, and help each other excel in each other's fields.
When talking about historical events with people I am unfamiliar with, I like to ask where that person was when said events were occurring. This is a somewhat often occurrence when I encounter new people and they discover that I grew up in Louisiana. For several years after August 29th, 2005, most non-Louisianians would ask me if I faired well during Hurricane Katrina, assuming I had lost everything. I usually explained that while I had to endure some power outages and varying degrees of fallen foliage, I survived quite well considering. My family housed a family or two for several weeks and I had a lot of new classmates, but even my Baton Rouge experience of the storm was nothing like the thousands who had to endure being stranded in New Orleans and surrounding areas with very little support.
Just as I had no change in my daily life during Hurricane Sandy(though I may have had a better understanding of the situation because I am a Louisianan), many Americans had little to go on other that what they were seeing on TV in the aftermath of Katrina.
It is important to recognize that as theatre artists, if we want to represent an event and tell a story about it, we should make sure to present accurate depictions of the events that occurred. Getting information from the direct source is important. If we wish to influence our audience with an opinion, that is something different all together.
I've discovered that our class actually discussed Picasso Baby in a class that I missed due to performing in a school matinee! I felt so smart for "discovering" it! Still, I think the video conveys the message I'm trying to get across well.
ReplyDeleteCarter,
ReplyDeleteYou're right! This video definitely shows how performance art stayed true to it's purpose yet was able to allow space for another creative outlet. To me the mixture of the two were seamless. I would love to see more of this happening. One thing we discussed in class that may be of interest to you is the possibility of having Jay Z freestyle rather than perform a known song. He would have the chance to perform specifically for the individual. Of course, that would be more intense on his part but could you imagine the possibilities. I think it would be pretty neat to be a spectator involved in that.
Your point on asking where a person was during an event is key to relating to our discussion on presence. When someone can locate and remember the exact spot, even time, it is easier to place yourself back when the event occurred.
Ha, yes good job on this discovery! This video really helped me in grasping how these mediums interact and complement one another.
Carter, I also really enjoyed Jay Z's "Picasso Baby" and found it a very interesting and sort of main stream take on art and how we can keep it alive. We live in a world where art is an ever-changing thing and for someone as popular and well looked up to as Jay Z to make such a wonderful impact on the idea of performance and art and to get people talking was amazing. He keeps it all relevant and meaningful.
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