BOUNDARIES

This course blended theoretical understanding with practical experimentation. Students were introduced to the history and origins of Performance and Live Art, examining the body as medium, the use of space and environment, the role of time, audience interaction, sound and voice, technology and media, performance as a tool for social commentary, the relationship between ritual and performance, as well as documentation and archiving techniques. The course worked towards a final performance or exhibition.

The terms Performance Art (行為藝術) and Live Art (現場藝術) are contested in both English and Chinese. While it is important to be aware of the context and history of these terms, it is also important not to be paralysed by them. The key ideas here are that the work occupies a space between performance and visual art, may or may not require ‘performance’ in the conventional sense, and that doer – the student in this case – is functioning as an artist (rather than interpreting someone else’s script or instructions).

The course was convened under the loose theme ‘BOUNDARIES’. What are your personal boundaries? What are you willing to do in the context of art practice? What about the boundaries of the audience or the spaces that you occupy?

On Wednesday 28th May 2025 and Friday 12th June 2026, students presented at an evening of Performance and Live Art. The works, most of which were durational, activated spaces throughout the Fine Art building and encouraged the audience to interact or complete the work.

PERFORMANCE AND LIVE ART 2026

A Body That Refuses To Rest: Crocheting a blanket so you can finally get to sleep.

A Moment of Romance: A one to one musical encounter.

Boogie Monster: Dancing all night long.

Chocolate: A bath full of chocolate. Is it a dream or a nightmare?

Corporate Burnout: Keep on working out.

Dinner Guest: A unhappy tale of the loss of a friend.

Disco: The beat goes on.

Doodle Booth: Answer some personal questions and we’ll draw your portrait, unseen.

Eat My Words: Your flaws taste delicious. Ambrine BIANCHI TERGOU

Information Destruction: Are you willing to pay for what you believe should not be forgotten?

Judgy Drinks: I insult you and make you a mocktail.

Kitting Myself: As the thread unravels I knit some more. 曾瓅 Li TSENG

Molting: Trying to break free.

Perfect Baby: Let’s make the perfect baby together.

Play With Me: Dress and move your doll.

Sandwich of Babel: Order a sandwich in a language you can’t understand.

So What?: I will protest anything you want me to but what is the point?

Surprise Menu: Dinner is a lottery. 陳佑任 Yu-Jen CHEN

The Fear Clinic: Tell me what you are afraid of and I’ll draw it out.

The Museum of Emotion: Synesthetic release.

Untitled: What labels do you think we should be given?

With Bottle: We are the pollution.

You’re On: It’s time for your runway debut… and… go!

This course was suitable for BA pathways: Performing & Directing / Design.

Objectives:
• To understand the origins of Performance and Live Art.
• To be able to identify key figures in Performance and Live Art.
• To experiment with strategies of Performance and Live Art making.
• To develop a personal aesthetic in Performance and Live Art.
• To develop confidence in English communication.

Key Texts:
• Performance Art: From Futurism to the Present by RoseLee Goldberg, London: Thames and Hudson (World of Art) ‎2011 978-0500204047
• Networked Bodies: The Culture and Ecosystem of Contemporary Performance ed. by River Lin, Taipei Performing Arts Centre, 2022
• 身體網絡：當代表演的文化與生態 9786267144480 林人中| 台北表演藝術中⼼ 2022

PERFORMANCE AND LIVE ART 2025
(Photos in gallery. Click to enlarge.)

PERFORMANCES AND INSTALLATIONS DEVISED, CREATED AND PERFORMED,
INCLUDE* THOSE BY:
2025: Marjolein SCHALK, Ming Choon TAN, Fatmata KAMARA, 黃治歆 Cindy HUANG, 林義豪 How How LIN, 歐佳怡 Lisa OU.
*Students opt in to be credited.

2026: Key image by 江柏諭.