New Books in Critical Theory Lucy Weir, "Performance, Masculinity, and Self-Injury" (Routledge, 2024)
Sep 21, 2024
Lucy Weir, a Reader in History of Art at the University of Edinburgh, engages in a provocative discussion on the intersections of performance art, masculinity, and self-injury. She questions whether self-harm can be considered art and challenges traditional gender associations within this realm. Weir explores the influential Viennese Actionism and delves into artists like Ron Athey and Wafaa Bilal, examining how their controversial performances resonate in socio-political contexts and redefine bodily autonomy and artistic expression.
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Origins of the Book
- Lucy Weir's book explores the blurred lines between dance, theatre, and live art, focusing on extreme performance.
- She questions the acceptance of suffering in art, particularly concerning self-harm and its gendered interpretations.
Viennese Actionism and Gunther Brus
- Viennese Actionism, emerging in post-World War I Austria, rejected bourgeois society and explored extreme performance.
- Gunther Brus, a key figure, incorporated self-harm into his performances, setting a precedent for later artists.
Andres Stitt and the Troubles
- Andres Stitt, growing up during the Troubles in Belfast, witnessed significant violence, shaping his artistic perspective.
- Like Brus, Stitt used self-harm in his work to explore violence, guilt, and cultural associations, reflecting his context.