A summary of the Introduction to Richard Schechner's book that sheds light on the definitions and functions of performance.
WHAT IS TO PERFORM?
Being
doing
showing doing
explaining "showing doing"
PERFORMANCE IN ART
- Performance is restored behaviour /twice behaved behaviour : it comprises of elements and parts from ordinary life in various different combinations. Feeding off of from the collective performance: etiquettes, social behaviour, norms etc.
-Restored behaviour as symbolic and reflexive
-Paradox: restored behaviour as well as one-time event. The "onceness" of it is defined by the constand flux of context, interaction, display etc
-Performance takes place as action ,interaction and relation. It doesn't exist "in" something but rather "between": bringing to importance the need of spectator.
- Performance underlines, highlights and makes aware through aesthetic tactics (eg slowing down) the ordinary behaviours. Honouring the daily life and bringing to light how ritual- like and repetitive it is.
-The constantly changing nature of life creates the flux in interactivity too.
FUNCTIONS
to entertain
to create beauty
to mark/change identity
to make/foster community
to heal
to teach/persuade
to deal with sacred and the demonic
Theatre of the oppressed(Augusto boal) , theatre for development, "model operas" (Jiang Qing)
PERFORMANCE "AS" AND "IS"
As: caters to the viewpoint of studying a subject through the lens of performance
in: caters to definite event marked b context, convention, usage and tradition.
Maps "as" performance: projection of power or boundaries and ideas of nations and countries.
MAKE BELIEVE AND MAKE BELIEF
Performance by public figures (make belief: blurring boundaries intentionally between real and fake vs artists (make believe-maintains a clearly boundary between the two).
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