One consistent trend we've noticed at BR&S is the strength of our local performance art scene. Several of our recent Journal articles have considered performance art: We've explored its differences from theater, published numerous interviews with performers, and what will probably be our longest review ever: a seven thousand word consideration of Time Body Space Objects 2, in December of 2012. Our friends at Art New England and the Boston Globe both have published interesting articles about performance art lately too.
There are any number of reasons for this strength—including robust Boston traditions of producing all types of performance art, and world class performance art departments at our local schools. We are living in an exciting and fruitful moment to be considering this medium's history and latest developments.
To that end, we are happy to announce the details for our next panel! Wednesday, May 15, 2013, Big Red & Shiny and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston will co-present a panel about performance art, held in conjunction with Odd Spaces, a performance art event curated by Liz Munsell (Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art & MFA Programs) at the MFA.
The Odd Spaces panel will be moderated by Liz Munsell and will include David Levine (an artist, professor at ECLA Bard in Berlin, and a current fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study), Kate McNamara (Chief Curator at Boston University Art Gallery), Sandrine Schaefer (an artist, curator, and writer), and Tony Schwensen (an artist, and professor at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston).
The panel will consider some of performance art's current trends. Topics will include the various links (academic, formal, strategic, etc.) between performance art and institutions, the current stature of performance art in the experience economy, how museum venues might affect performance art's directions and development, and how performance art might engage "general" audiences.
The performances will be held in various "odd" places in the MFA from 2pm - 6:30pm, and the panel will take place in the Alfond Auditorium from 7-8:30. Wednesday nights after 4 pm admission to the MFA is by voluntary contribution. For more information see mfa.org
www.mfa.org/programs/special-event/odd-spaces
