Performing Endurance: Art and Politics since 1960

Lara Shalson's book Performing Endurance explores acts of endurance in art and political contexts, examining performances from the 1960s to the present and their ethical and political significance. It rethinks how performance itself endures over time and raises questions about what it means to exist as a body that acts and is acted upon.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 220 pages
Publication date: 12 November 2020
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Lara Shalson presents a fresh perspective on acts of endurance in art and political contexts through her book, "Performing Endurance." By exploring a diverse range of performances, spanning from the 1960s to the present, including influential works by artists such as Marina Abramović, Chris Burden, Tehching Hsieh, Linda Montano, Yoko Ono, and others, as well as protest actions from the US civil rights movement's lunch counter sit-ins to contemporary protest camps, Shalson offers a comprehensive account of endurance and its ethical and political significance.

Shalson contends that endurance poses essential questions about the nature of being a body that both acts and is acted upon. It delves into ethical considerations, such as how we respond to the bodies of others, and political inquiries, such as how we navigate relationships with institutions that profoundly influence our lives. Furthermore, "Performing Endurance" challenges conventional notions of how performance endures over time by examining the ways in which it is shaped, reproduced, and transformed across different historical and cultural contexts.

Through her meticulous analysis, Shalson sheds light on the ethical and political dimensions of endurance, highlighting its potential to inspire change and challenge dominant narratives. By examining the enduring power of performance, she invites readers to reevaluate their understanding of the body, society, and the role of art in shaping our world. "Performing Endurance" is a valuable contribution to the field of performance studies and beyond, offering a thought-provoking exploration of the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.

Weight: 324g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108445160