Anonymity Performance in Electronic Pop Music - A Performance Ethnography of Critical Practices

This study explores the ephemeral and ontologically precarious nature of anonymity in electronic music culture and proposes two projects of anonymity performance as critical practices. It advocates for a radical performative turn and ontological reflexivity in the cultural studies of music.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 08 December 2021
Publisher: Transcript Verlag

Anonymity practices in electronic music culture have long been the subject of intense scrutiny from both journalistic and academic perspectives. However, the very nature of anonymity itself is fleeting and inherently unstable. How can scholars engage in research on anonymous entities without compromising their anonymity, and what insights can they gain from its precariousness? This study presents two projects of anonymity performance as critical practices, drawing upon the frameworks of Judith Butler and Michel Foucault. These projects involve playful exploration of anonymity through the creation of fake identities or collaborative persona imaginations. Adopting a reflexive and performative writing style, this performance ethnography advocates for a radical shift towards performativity and ontological reflexivity in the cultural studies of music.

The first project, titled "Anonymous Encounters," involves an experimental performance that explores the boundaries between anonymity and intimacy. The performers, who adopt various fake identities, engage in intimate conversations with each other, blurring the lines between their real and fictional selves. Through this project, the scholars aim to examine the ways in which anonymity can create spaces for vulnerability, vulnerability, and the exploration of taboo subjects.

The second project, titled "Collaborative Personas," involves a group of musicians who come together to create a collective persona. The collective persona is a fictional character that represents the collective experiences and perspectives of the musicians. Through this project, the scholars aim to explore the ways in which anonymity can facilitate collaboration, creativity, and the formation of new communities.

In conclusion, this study highlights the significance of anonymity in electronic music culture and the challenges associated with researching anonymous entities. By adopting a reflexive and performative approach, scholars can gain valuable insights into the complexities of anonymity and its impact on cultural practices. These projects of anonymity performance serve as examples of how critical practice can contribute to the cultural studies of music by challenging traditional methodologies and promoting a more nuanced understanding of the world.

Weight: 666g
Dimension: 226 x 147 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783837642568