May 1, 2024
Updated May 10, 2025
30 minute read
Performance art is a dynamic and often challenging art form that centers on the live action of the artist. It is an inherently ephemeral and frequently interdisciplinary practice, meaning it exists in the moment of its creation and often blends elements from various artistic disciplines. Imagine an artist using their own body as the primary tool and material, interacting with a specific space over a defined period, and directly engaging with an audience – this is the core of much performance art. This art form can be a powerful vehicle for exploring personal experiences, offering social or political critique, or simply aiming to evoke a reaction from those who witness it.
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Find a path to becoming a Performance Art. Learn more at:
OpenCourser.com/topic/m853jt/performance
Reading list
We've selected ten books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Performance Art.
Reader on performance studies.
Collection of essays on performance art from a variety of perspectives.
Examines the relationship between performance art and the object, arguing that they are not mutually exclusive but rather exist on a continuum.
Textbook on performance art theory and practice.
Explores the relationship between performance and politics in the Americas.
Examines the role of performance in social change.
Explores the voice of the performer in performance art.
Explores the future of performance art.
Examines the relationship between performance and eroticism.
Explores the relationship between ritual, performance, and media.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/m853jt/performance