Performing Institutions: Contested Sites and Structures of Care

Performing Institutions: Contested Sites and Structures of Care explores how institutions are political and performed,and how creative practices interact with institutional frameworks. Contributors from various countries present case studies and critical reflections on performing artistic, cultural, social, and educational practices as caring engagements with contested sites, addressing questions of how institutions perform academically, spatially, custodially, and structurally. The book highlights the productive tension between structures of care and sites of contestations, and investigates the idea of caring contestations as a critical concept that draws attention to power and exclusions in institutional practices. It is aimed at scholars, educators, research-practitioners, and postgraduate students in performance studies, theory, creation, and design, as well as researchers working in organizational and educational approaches to performance culture.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 314 pages
Publication date: 11 March 2024
Publisher: Intellect Books

Performing Institutions: Contested Sites and Structures of Care is a groundbreaking scholarly work that delves into the intricate connections between education, self-organization, activism, performance, design, and artistic research. It explores the ways in which institutions are inherently political and performed, emphasizing the diverse range of 'actors' involved in reimagining creative practices that critically engage with institutional frameworks and the broader local and global society.

By introducing the concept of Performing Institutions, this book highlights the diverse range of individuals and groups who engage in (re)imagining creative practices that critically interact with institutional frameworks and the broader society. Contributors from Denmark, Ireland, Finland, the UK, Canada, the USA, Chile, Asia, and Australasia offer case studies and critical reflections that showcase their visions and pursuits of performing artistic, cultural, social, and educational practices as caring engagements with contested sites.

The book addresses several key questions, including:

How do current institutions perform academically, spatially, custodially, and structurally?
How can we remain engaged with the inherent contestation of institutions and what role do care and counter-hegemonic practices play in rearticulating alternative ways of performing institutions and their impact on us?

These questions form the central theme of the book, as it establishes a productive tension between two main themes: structures of care (instituting otherwise) and sites of contestations (desiring change). Some of the texts in this collection explore the interplay between ideas about caring contestations and contestation as a caring engagement in practice, with the aim of institutional transformation.

Furthermore, other contributors investigate the concept of caring contestations as a critical concept that draws attention to questions of power and to the ways in which power relations shape and influence institutional practices.

In conclusion, Performing Institutions: Contested Sites and Structures of Care is a seminal work that sheds light on the complex dynamics between institutions, creativity, and social change. It provides valuable insights into the ways in which individuals, groups, and institutions can engage in productive tensions and collaborate to create more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable societies.

Weight: 616g
Dimension: 169 x 244 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789389555