Performance as resistance

Definition

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.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Performance as resistance has roots in various social movements, particularly those related to civil rights, feminism, and LGBTQ+ rights.
2. Key figures in performance art have utilized their work to address systemic oppression and bring attention to marginalized communities.
3. This form of performance often incorporates elements of shock or provocation to engage audiences and foster critical conversations.
4. The concept highlights the importance of the performer's body as a site of resistance, emphasizing personal experience and identity in the artistic expression.
5. Performance as resistance can take many forms, including street performances, installations, or public demonstrations that challenge dominant narratives.

Review Questions

• How does performance as resistance function within social movements and what role do artists play?
  • Performance as resistance serves as a vital tool for social movements by allowing artists to challenge oppressive systems through their work. Artists use their performances to voice the concerns of marginalized communities and to create a space for dialogue about pressing social issues. By engaging with audiences on an emotional level, they can inspire action and encourage critical reflection on societal norms.
• Discuss the significance of body politics in relation to performance as resistance.
  • Body politics is integral to performance as resistance because it examines how individual bodies can be sites of struggle against societal norms. In performance art, the body becomes a medium through which artists express their identities and confront issues like gender, race, and sexuality. This intersection allows for a deeper understanding of how personal experiences reflect broader societal challenges and highlight the need for change.
• Evaluate the impact of key figures in performance art on the concept of performance as resistance and how they have shaped its discourse.
  • Key figures in performance art have significantly impacted the discourse surrounding performance as resistance by pushing boundaries and challenging established norms. Artists like Marina Abramović and Yoko Ono have used their platforms to confront social injustices and provoke thought on personal and collective experiences. Their innovative approaches not only broadened the understanding of what performance can achieve but also emphasized the power of art in advocating for change and promoting resilience against oppressive systems.

Related terms

Subversion: The act of undermining authority or established norms, often through creative expressions that challenge societal expectations.

Activism: Efforts to promote or impede social, political, economic, or environmental change through direct action or advocacy.

Body Politics: The ways in which bodies are regulated, represented, and contested within society, often addressing issues of identity and power.