Performance Anxiety - WEEK 1

FRIDAY MARCH 27th

We changed the tumblr site to a private group that is going to work much better than the original site.
(So - please note: The link given on the previous instruction letter is not in use.)

Each week, I am going to post the new assignments here on my Transart blog, as well as giving a summary of results from the previous weeks assignments.

This week, things are getting started - so there is a lot of introducing & explaining to do.

INTRODUCTION - START HERE!

WELCOME … you made it - you’re in the PerformanceAnxiety group!
We are all in for a big experiment!
We’re all in it together - this is an experiment for all of us … so have fun!
The objective of the big experiment is to see if my pedagogy for performance art can work in this virtual context. 
These Virtual time/space experiments are in partnership with Real time/space experiments based at Warren Wilson College- a private liberal arts college in rural North Carolina, USA - this is very fitting, as Warren Wilson is quite an experiment in itself!
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS ….
The Real time/space experiments will happen every Friday morning at WWC at 10am - 12noon
The Virtual time/space experiments will take place at anytime throughout the week before the next Friday.
There will be six Fridays - beginning today - Friday March 27th.
Experiments are divided into “PODS” - each week, there will be ONE RESEARCH POD & TWO ACTION PODS. These PODS contain the instructions for your experiments.
Every Friday, the PODS will be posted here on the PerformanceAnxiety group page - they will be up before midnight.
You can choose to do all of them (thus getting the most out of the experiment) OR you can choose to do two, or even just one of the PODS.
Then you perform the experiment as instructed in the POD, enjoy & have fun with it … see where it takes you - then POST YOUR RESULTS here on the PA group page before the next Friday - using images, video clips, text & links. Also include a description of your process & what you feel you discovered & learned through the experiment.
Everyone is encouraged to view each others work & give comments, feedback, critique & encouragement …. open up dialogue & discussion - create community right here in this place & space!
GOT IT? …. GOOD!
I’m excited to get started!

Who? ... What?

OK OK …. so now you’ve read the first post about what’s happening here & how it’s gonna work …. BUT …. WHO am I? …. & WHAT is “Performance Art”!
Who am I? … Claire Elizabeth Barratt - inter-disciplinary performing artist & MFA candidate with the TRANSART INSTITUTE. This is part of my MFA project to create a practical pedagogy for the practice of performance art.
So here are a couple of links to fill in that information:
My blog/website: http://cebhomepage.blogspot.com/
Transart Institute website: http://www.transart.org/
What is Performance Art? …. well, there are numerous attempts to make that definition - but my favorite is on Wikipedia & includes the diametrically opposing possibilities of what performance art has the potential to be:
DEFINITION OF “PERFORMANCE ART”
WIKIPEDIA
Not to be confused with Performing arts.
In art, performanceart is a performance presented to an audience, traditionally interdisciplinary. Performance may be either scripted or unscripted, random or carefully orchestrated; spontaneous or otherwise carefully planned with or without audience participation. The performance can be live or via media; the performer can be present or absent. It can be any situation that involves four basic elements: time, space, the performer’s body, or presence in a medium, and a relationship between performer and audience. Performance art can happen anywhere, in any venue or setting and for any length of time. The actions of an individual or a group at a particular place and in a particular time constitute the work.

Creative Theme

Due to the Real & Virtual duality of this experiment, there is a creative theme that lends itself very appropriately to the project ….. that of:
PLACE, SPACE, SITE: Real & Virtual LOCATIONS
Seeing as we are all going to be wildly experimenting in our studios, homes, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, gardens & other establishments public & private (the crazier the better!) it seems fitting to have this theme deliberately placed on the radar.
I’ve written up a little document of thoughts around these terms … please continue this dialogue as ideas come to mind ….
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4cHBYnXHpXzbjdZVVFFSkVpdkE/view?usp=sharing

RESEARCH POD 1

BEGINNINGS
What is now acknowledged as the beginnings of contemporary performance art began with performance being a key element of a series of movements:
FUTURISM, DADAISM & SURREALISM
Russian Constructivism in mixed in there too.
Your research experiment is to see what you can discover about the beginnings of performance art … a good starting point might be “Cabaret Voltaire”.
Who are the key artists here that really interest you? How & why do you think this kind of performance evolved during that time? Imagine what it must have been like to be part of the scene! Present what you find most interesting & inspiring about it - use text, images, links, videos … whatever helps to get your findings across.
Title your post with the heading “(your name)’s Research POD 1 results

 

 

ACTION POD 1

This first action experiment should be a fun way to get to know each other. It’s called “Finding The Essence” & is based on a Stanislavski acting exercises that I’ve been quite inspired by as a performing artist.
If that name is unfamiliar to you … look him up.
ACTION POD 1 experiment instructions can be found in the document located here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4cHBYnXHpXzWmFobXpVTHk3aUE/view?usp=sharing
Have fun experimenting with this & then document what results you want to present with the title heading “(your name)’s Action POD 1 results”
Don’t forget to include accompanying information about your process & what you learned & discovered. …. Enjoy!

ACTION POD 2

An introduction to exploring the space.
As we are going to be focusing on ideas of place,space, site & location - let’s get tuned in to those concepts beginning with our immediate surroundings.
Action POD 2 instructions can be found in this document:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4cHBYnXHpXzd3RXSi1tR20xbnc/view?usp=sharing
Refer to Action POD 1 for instructions on presenting your results. Post under the title heading “(your name)’s Action POD 2 results”
Experience your surroundings under a whole different light!