Performing Failure

Assessment: practical essay [50%], project analysis [50%]
This module will provide students with an opportunity to consider the appropriation of ?failure? in experimental European and American performance. Students will be given the opportunity to expand their understanding of the problem of ?representing the real? introduced in modules such as Performance and Live Art (HE2). The syllabus will present a range of Modernist and Postmodern performance practices in order to analyse techniques apparently informed by anaesthetics of ?failure?. Students will be introduced to theories such as Sara Jane Bailes? ?radical amateurism? and Fiona Templeton?s work on performance virtuosity, although the choice of further reading will be designed to help students engage with the chosen companies under discussion, so may change from year to year. Artists under consideration may include Samuel Beckett, The New York City Players, Goat Island, Lone Twin, Baktruppen, Jerome Bel and Forced Entertainment.