Archive
M:ST 2 Artists
Panel Discussion 2
ENGENDERED SPECIES: PERFORMATIVITY
AND THE DISPLACEMENT OF NORMS
LOCATION: Stanford Perrott
Lecture Theatre,
Alberta College of Art and
Design
April 12 / 2003
3:30 PM
Performativity can be seen as a process. The body is gendered through the repetitive enactment of societal markers. This repetitive enactment is not demonstrative of a preexisting identity, but rather is the mode of identity construction within a binary gender system. Judith Butler talks about the possibility of norms "actually materialis[ing] a body," and "how we might understand the materiality of the body to be not only invested with a norm, but in some senses animated by a norm, or contoured by a norm" (Judith Butler in an interview by Peter Osborne and Lynne Segal, London, 1993.) When looking at performativity in the construct of gender identity it is interesting to question the role of performing the gaze within this concept. What role does looking–a performative act–play in the process of becoming/constructing identity/gender? Through performance the body can be the site for 'dissonant inscription,' or the locale for displacing the norm. If spectatorship can be seen to be a societal marker of gender, does the performance-based practice break down, or reinforce, the typical gender reads? How does the performance artist use their medium to challenge or rebuff the socially constructed constraints of gender identity?
Panelists:
Rozalinda Borcila, University of South Florida – has worked around the stereotypical representations of eastern-European women such as gymnast and orphan, dealing with violence and control of the gendered body. Currently engaged in discourse around issues of citizenship and immigration.
Joanne Bristol, Banff Centre - JB < = > JB sees the ephemeral boundaries between art and life as potential spaces from which to generate ideas for creative community living.
Liss Platt, New York - Liss Platt, New York – performs the personae of 'Art Jock' juxtaposing the two stereotypically opposite cultures of art and sport, mocking the 'bad boys' of art. The work is a genuine attempt to transform sport into art, and to carve out a space for the female-athlete-artist.
Anita Ponton, London, England - work uses specific tropes of feminine representation – especially that of the excessive woman. Her work examines the relationship of the body to performative space, to the camera and to the projected image.
Moderator - Mireille Perron, Chair of Liberal Studies, Alberta College of Art and Design
Format:
The discussion will open with each panelist doing a 5-10 minute performative presentation about their work. This presentation can be done in a variety of modes: a small excerpt of the work, recreation, spoken word, or work-shopping with the audience, etc. We would like to stay away from the traditional 'artist talk' format in order to ensure the audience members have a glimpse into each panelist's performance work in M:ST2.
Mountain Standard Time Performative Art Festival Society
P.O. Box 22056 Bankers Hall R.P.O, Calgary, AB CA T2P 5G7
PH. 403.837.6678 email: info@mstfestival.org