Spectatorship

Definition

Spectatorship refers to the relationship between a performance and its audience, emphasizing how viewers engage with, interpret, and respond to a performance. This concept not only shapes the audience's experience but also influences the artist's intent, especially when considering the role of the audience in shaping meaning and creating a communal experience.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Spectatorship can shift from passive observation to active participation, especially in contemporary performances that encourage audience involvement.
2. The concept of spectatorship is crucial in understanding institutional critique, as it challenges traditional hierarchies between artists and viewers.
3. Photography and performance often intersect with spectatorship by capturing the audience's reactions, thus extending the performance's life beyond the live event.
4. Gender and sexuality play significant roles in spectatorship, as different identities can influence how audiences perceive and connect with performances.
5. Re-performance and reenactment redefine spectatorship by inviting viewers to reconsider historical contexts and meanings through a contemporary lens.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of spectatorship enhance our understanding of institutional critique in performance art?
  • Spectatorship enhances our understanding of institutional critique by highlighting how audiences engage with and challenge established norms within art institutions. In this context, viewers are not just passive recipients but active participants who can influence how the critique is received and interpreted. By examining their responses, artists can assess the impact of their work on societal structures and question the dynamics of power within those institutions.
• In what ways does participatory performance change the dynamics of spectatorship?
  • Participatory performance transforms spectatorship by shifting the audience's role from passive observers to active participants. This engagement encourages viewers to contribute to the creation of meaning within the performance, fostering a sense of community and shared experience. The direct involvement of spectators can lead to spontaneous interactions that alter the course of the performance, creating a dynamic exchange between artist and audience.
• Evaluate the implications of ethics regarding audience involvement in performance art through the lens of spectatorship.
  • Evaluating ethics in audience involvement through spectatorship raises questions about consent, power dynamics, and emotional safety. When spectators are invited to participate, it's crucial to consider their comfort levels and boundaries to avoid exploitation or harm. Artists must navigate these ethical considerations carefully, ensuring that their work respects the agency of participants while also allowing for meaningful engagement. The balance between artistic intent and spectator welfare is vital for fostering a responsible environment in participatory art practices.

Related terms

Audience Engagement:

The ways in which audiences interact with a performance, including their emotional, intellectual, and physical involvement.

Interactivity:

The quality of a performance that allows for audience participation, making them an active part of the artistic experience.

Reception Theory: A theoretical framework that examines how different audiences interpret and derive meaning from a performance based on their own backgrounds and experiences.