Workshop 6

Workshop 6: Observing & Recording: A Performance Art Talk with Keith Cole

Afternoon Workshop | 1:30 - 4:00 p.m.

There are many interpretations about what Performance Art is and many questions about what exactly is Performance Art? Why is Performance Art not considered theatre? Why is Performance Art often considered to be so bad and made fun of in popular culture? Does contemporary culture borrow from Performance Art? What are the politics of Performance Art? How can I join in on the fun? Past TMU Artist in Residence (Summer 2019) Keith Cole  addresses some of these interpretations / questions in an afternoon of historical lecture and discussion.

This “assignment” asks participants to go to a public place they have never been and are likely never to return to. This provides raw material that can include (but not limited to) people watching, movement, architecture, sounds, visuals, repetition, duration, colours – what do you see? What do you hear? What don’t you see/hear?

Other items to consider: legal/health/security/appropriation/privacy and agency issues. Who might your audience be and how to best engage them? Would you consider using materials (ie: props, costumes, audio/visual) in your process? How high are the stakes/risks/tensions in your imagined Performance? Would you consider documentation of your Performance and if so, what format?

Questions considered during discussion include: What would performance look like for you? Whose performance do you cherish?