Performance and Its Documents: Revisiting Debates in Performance Art Documentation

• Author / Creator

  Woolley, Michael JH

• This thesis examines issues of performance art documentation. An art historical survey contextualizes performance art practice and theory, situating the contradicting nature of performance art as a medium that both requires documentation while also denying its possibility. A detailed case study of the work of contemporary performance artist Cassils provides a point of entry for reconsidering documentation itself as a mode of doing performance art, rather than being ancillary to the work of performance. Finally, the research culminates in a research-creation project that puts into practice the ideas explored earlier in the thesis; this final chapter of the thesis is realized in both writing and as a gallery exhibition which explore and enfold the research produced through a month-long daily practice performance work engaged in by the author.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Contemporary art
  • Body art
  • Schneemann, Carolee
  • Documentation
  • Art, Modern--21st century
  • Art, Modern--20th century
  • Photography
  • Performance art
  • Kaprow, Allan
  • Research-creation
  • Pollock, Jackson

• Graduation date

  Spring 2018

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Arts

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3794188H

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.