How to Develop Performance Art Work: Concept, Body, Time and Material

This course covers the physical, material, time and conceptual aspects of developing performance art works. Guiding students through a structured process that can be employed in their own studio practice, it addresses and provides processes for ideation, exploration of the body’s gestures, the role of material transformation and meaning and how to approach time as an additional material through Bergsonian theory. Students will engage with new methodology, including exercises on ’situations and systems’, Body-verbs and breaking down existing artwork examples - uncovering structures in order to inspire their own. The course will be supported by artwork examples and material experimentation, offering take-home resources like research mind maps and performance art inspired exercises. Students will also learn about performance preparation and training, risk assessment, and aftercare to ensure their works are rigorously developed and safe.