TAKING IT TO THE STREET:

PERFORMANCE AND POLITICS/

THE POLITICS OF PERFORMANCE

This course explores the theory, history, and practice – mostly practice -- of technology and performance as sociopolitical intervention. This includes performance in an urban context: site-specific and street theater, puppetry, environmental theater, culture jamming (including radio, television, billboards and recording), and digital interventions.

Class is in studio and discussion format. This means that your active participation is a requirement of the course. During the semester we expect you to contribute your own ideas and arguments to the discussions, and to be willing to take the responsibilities and risks such contributions imply.

There are no written exams. Instead you will use the theories and tools you acquire during the semester to MAKE STUFF! about some aspect of performance as a public practice. What you make can be in any form: sound, installation, video, computer animation, collage, sculpture, assemblage, performance -- you name it. You will do this in stages, starting with simple projects and moving to more complex ones, using humor, irony, uncommon approaches, and bizarre techniques.

To download a sample syllabus in .pdf format Click Here

Here are some resource we use for the course:

Antonin Artaud Artaud's "Manifesto in a Clear Language" Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed Guillermo Gomez-Pena

Gomez-Pena's La Pocha Nostra: Short Videos Stelarc Orlan Sandy Stone

 

Radical Theatre

The Diggers Movement - radical performance art in San Fransisco www.zi-activism.net - guerrilla theater troupe Applied and Interactive Theater Guide - tips and info RTMark - fight the conglomos! TopLab - Interactive Theater Workshops for Social Change

El Teatro Campesino: Interview With Luis Valdez The Yippies: A brief summary Installations and Performances Performance Art

 

Culture Jamming

Abrupt.org Culture Jamming Culture Jammer's Encyclopedia The Fluxus Performance Workbook The Situationist International

Fake Roadsigns (Warning: Lots-o-Flash) Women in Art / Art As Politics Machinima example: "A Few Good G-Men" Justin's Drama and Theatre Links

Puppetry

Short History of Radical Puppetry Another short history of radical puppetry Profiling Puppets Political Puppetry: Where did it go? A puppet ritual: May Day Feast

Puppetry as Cultural Critique Peter Schumann: Puppets, Bread, and Art Puppeteer's Cooperative Home Page Kathi's Links to All Things Puppet

 

Masks and Masquerade

Short Anthropological History of Masks

 

Alternative Press

The Guerrilla News Network - alternative press The Ruckus Society - subversive training and information UtNe - environmental and politcal alternative media BBC News - British Broadcasting Network

Ode to Michael Moore - must read! Anarchy - "a journal of desire armed" Z Communications - "the spirit of resistance lives" Independent Media Center - alternative press