Course detail

Performance Theory - Performance Analysis

FaVU-4PT-PAAcad. year: 2022/2023

The course Performance Theory – Performance Analysis is best understood as a collective inquiry in performance theory. Each class is divided into two parts: lecture and seminar. In the lectures, key issues of performance theory, as discussed in Carlson, Howell, and Fischer-Lichte, are introduced. In the seminars students are presenting their papers based on reading of selected chapters of the study literature. Students are encouraged to choose topics / chapters for their presentations in accordance with their own creative interests.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. akad. soch. Tomáš Ruller

Department

Department of Art History and Theory (KTDU)

Offered to foreign students

The home faculty only

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Upon completion of the course student will be able to:
- identify and summarize the important features of performance theory within performative practices (both within and outside of the field of contemporary art);
- to identify and analyze current performative art practices;
- to apply the key terminology of performance theory in writing about their own creative practice.

Prerequisites

None.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Lectures in which selected topics of performance theory are presented and explained. Seminar based on students’ presentations accompanied with facilitated discussions of given topics.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Credit is awarded on the basis of attendance, reading a selected text and presentation of its synopsis in one of the seminars. Written papers (synopsis of a selected chapter from the study literature – approximately 3000 words) are submitted in the digital form at the end of the semester.

Course curriculum

1. Decoding the Sign
2. Politics of Performance
3. Gender and Sexual Identity
4. Performing Ethnicity
5. Performing Body
6. Time and Space of Performance
7. Audience and Spectatorship
8. Stillness – Repetition – Inconsistency
9. Drive – Transitions – Presence
10. Image – Mimicry – Other
11. Chaos – Desire – Vision
12. Borders of Performance

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The aim of the course is to introduce students to performance and performativity theory through the group reading and discussing selected chapters of crucial texts. It should provide necessary analytical tools (concepts and theories) for critical thinking about performance and performativity both in contemporary art and in culture in general.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Compulsory attendance of at least 70%. Lower attendance, when explained reasonably, can be replaced with an additional seminar paper upon the agreement with the lecturer.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

CARLSON, Marvin. Performance: a critical introduction. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge, 2004. ISBN 978-0415299275. (EN)
FISCHER-LICHTE, Erika. The transformative power of performance: a new aesthetics. New York: Routledge, 2008. ISBN 978-0415458566. (EN)
HOWELL, Anthony. The analysis of performance art: a guide to its theory and practice. Amsterdam: Harwood Academic Publishers, 1999. Contemporary theatre studies. ISBN 9057550865. (EN)
WOLF, Laurie, COUNSELL, Colin. Performance Analysis: An Introductory Coursebook. Routledge; 1st edition, 2005. ISBN 978-0415224079 (EN)

Recommended reading

GOLDBERG, RoseLee. Performance art: from futurism to the present. 3rd ed. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2011. World of art. ISBN 978-0500204047. (EN)
GOLDBERG, RoseLee. Performance: live art since 1960. New York: Harry N. Abrams Publishers, 1998. ISBN 9780810943605. (EN)
HENRI, Adrian. Total art: environments, happenings, and performance. New York: Praeger, 1974. ISBN 978-0275435400. (EN)
MCEVILLEY, Thomas. The triumph of anti-art: conceptual and performance art in the formation of post-modernism. Kingston, N.Y: McPherson & Co, 2012. ISBN 0929701925. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme VUM Master's

    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective

  • Programme ZST-NX Master's

    branch ZST , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective

  • Programme ZST-BX Bachelor's

    branch ZST , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective

  • Programme FAAD Master's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    2 year of study, winter semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. akad. soch. Tomáš Ruller

Seminar

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. akad. soch. Tomáš Ruller