Re: a question 4 u

Jason Marchant (marchant@umich.edu)
Mon, 21 Apr 1997 01:28:41 -0400 (EDT)

For me this question about the bodies presence in a performance requires
the understanding or definition of the word 'performance.' What is a
performance? Do we need an audience and does that audience need to be
aware of a performance? The bodies relationship to a performance could be
easily as performer or audience. A performance artist might show a film
in a show that will be seen only once to an aware audience but is it a
performance regardless of content or concept? It would be easy to say yes
and no to this question but frankly how generalized can we get before the
question and answer have no meaning? This isn't meant as some sort of cop
out line b/c with boundaryless definitions how can we say they are
defined? Unless there is some understanding within the 'group' or
definiton of the uncertainty or 'grey areas.'
I find it hard to define the bodies role in performance without a
consensus on the 'p' word. To recreate the live performance of human
movement with all the inpetus and initiations which could only exist at
the moment of that movements creation would be a hard sell for me.

Interesting discussion,

jason marchant

As I row over the plain
Of the sea and gaze
Into the distance, the waves
Merge with the bright sky.
--Fijiwara No Tadamichi

On Sun, 20 Apr 1997, Scott deLahunta wrote:

> Hi Amanda --
>
> At 11:28 AM 4/20/97 +0200, you wrote:
> >I have been asked to speak on a panel at a forum kicking off with the
> >following question
> >
> > - is it necessary for the body to be physically present in a performance?
> >
> >My question is (from curiosity and some food for thought): what would be
> >your opening line if u were confronted with this question? The forum is for
> >dance and theatre bods of mixed interests.
>
> Funny, I think the post I just sent commenting on Andrea's website is
> somewhat related to this -- little synchronicity going on there. In my
> opinion, I think the illusion of the body is more interesting than the body
> itself. So, what is necessary to create in the mind of the viewer the
> feeling or belief that they are looking at a body. What are the borders of
> acceptability in creating this illusion? One runs to avoid being pounced
> upon by virtual wrestlers who have to have a miniumum of pixels (this may be
> wrong technical term, but you know what I mean) in order to maximize speed.
> In this case, it's the movement which needs to be believable, not the body.
> Looking ahead, what will be the response to the question of the body in 2005
> when we see for the first time a holographically projected actor/ dancer?
>
> Scott
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