Performance in Art: definition, characteristics and artists

Performance is a hybrid artistic modality, that is, it can mix different languages ​​such as theater, music and visual arts.

It is also related to the happening and the terms are often described as being the same thing.

Some scholars say that there is a slight difference between the two types of artistic expression.

Rest Energy (1980), famous performance by Marina Abramović and Ulay

The performance would be when the artist presents a scene in which he normally uses his body as a support while the spectators watch; already in the happening the audience usually also participates in the action.

Etymologically, the word performance is derived from Old French parformance, and means "to give shape", "to make".

Characteristics of performance art

• Hybrid language: mixes elements from theater, visual arts, installation, music, among others;
• It has no "appropriate" place to happen: it can happen both in museums, galleries and institutions, as well as in an urban and/or public environment;
• Records of the action can occur through photographs and videos, but the character of the work is ephemeral, fleeting;
• Body as an instrument of artistic action.

Origin of performance in art

In the universe of the arts, this type of artistic making emerges from the second half of the 20th century onwards, as a result of developments in the pop art and conceptual art in the 60s and 70s.

That's because contemporary art is emerging as a new way of producing and appreciating art.

Dada presentation by Hugo Ball (1916), in Cabaret Voltaire, in Switzerland

However, it can be said that performance is related to older modernist movements, such as Dada and the Bauhaus School.

To further understand the universe of artistic performance, read:

• Modern Art
• Bauhaus School
• Dadaism

Artists in Performance

In the 60s, the movement emerged in Germany flow, which initiates innovative performative propositions. Many important artists from around the world were part of the movement, some of them are:

• Joseph Beuys (1921-1986) - German
• Wolf Vostell (1932-1998) - German
• Nam June Paik (1932-2006) - South Korean
• Yoko Ono (1933) - Japanese

I like America and America likes me (1974), by Joseph Beuys, is a performance in which the artist spends days in a room with a wild coyote

Other artists who stand out in performance art are:

• Marina Abramović (1946) - Serbia
• Chris Burden (1946-2015) - American
• Ana Mendieta (1948-1985) - Cuban
• Valie Export (1940) - Austrian

Artistic performance in Brazil

In Brazil, in the 50s, performance art was already showing signs. This is due to Flávio de Carvalho (1899-1973), precursor of the movement and part of Brazilian modernism.

New Look (1956), a performance by Flávio de Carvalho caused astonishment, as the artist publicly wore "feminine" clothing

Later, with the Rex Group (1966-1967), the artists Wesley Duke Lee (1931-2010), Geraldo de Barros (1923-1998) and Nelson Leirner (1932) carry out various artistic actions, including performances.

There are also other names in Brazil, such as Carlos Fajardo (1941), José Resende (1945), Frederick Nasser (1945), in addition to Helium Oiticica (1937-1980).

Video - Performance by Yoko Ono

Check out the recording of the performance - which can also be considered a happening - Cut Piece (1965) by Yoko Ono.

This is a well known work in the art world. In it, the performer remains seated in front of the audience and beside her there are scissors, which the audience uses to cut Yoko's garments until they leave her naked.

Yoko Ono - 'Cut Piece' (1965)

Also read about other related topics.:

• body art
• Arte Povera
• Urban art
• Types of Art
• Artistic installation: works and artists

Learn more about contemporary art:

Contemporary Art - All Matter