The Performing Observer
Essays on Contemporary Art, Performance and Photography
- English
- PDF
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
The Performing Observer is a collection of short, critical writings on contemporary art, performance, and photography written over the course of the past two decades. These texts were originally published in a variety of settings, including art magazines and exhibition catalogues, online journals and websites.
A wide range of global practitioners are analysed, from emerging to established artists. As the title suggests, Patrick feels that he is simultaneously performing a role while observing and writing about the field. The intention is to present a well-informed but jargon free survey of many significant developments in contemporary art and culture. Among the artists discussed are: Francis Alÿs, Laurie Anderson, Chris Burden, William Eggleston, Cindy Sherman, and Andy Warhol.
The book examines an important series of interconnected contemporary art practices. Layering writings on performance-based work, material forms and photography, it positions performance within a larger context. The artists selected are genuinely international with a strong focus on the southern hemisphere, and are grouped together in sections Patrick calls Performance, Photography, Publicness, Video, Books and Exhibitions.
It aims to make sense of a specific modality of art making with an interesting - and to a degree unspoken - interest in art writing itself. Both elements are compelling separately but especially so together.
Accessibly written and especially approachable for a range of interested readers. It offers scholarly and critical depth while retaining a writing style that will appeal beyond a strictly scholarly audience. It will appeal to readers closely involved in contemporary art theory and practice, whether students, artists, academics or simply curious to know more.
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Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- The Performing Observer
- Copyright
- Contents
- List of Figures
- Acknowledgements
- Original Sources of Publication
- Preface: The Performing Observer
- PART I: PERFORMANCE
- PART II: PHOTOGRAPHY
- PART III: PUBLICNESS
- PART IV: VIDEO
- PART V: BOOKS
- PART VI: EXHIBITIONS
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
- Back Cover