Placeness and the Performative Production of Space

Performance creates and transforms places of urban renewal and regeneration by producing a sense of 'placeness' through theatre, installations, site-specific work, visual arts, and digital performance. It combines interdisciplinary approaches to contemporary performance, architecture, and digital media studies, offering themed sections comprising theory, studies of practice, and interviews with practitioners. Case studies include site-specific work by La Fura Dels Baus, the Prague Quadrennial, community engagement in Praça Roosevelt, the Portland Inn Project, Campo de la Cebada, and digital spaces created by artists in India and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 03 October 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Performance has a significant impact on urban renewal and regeneration, contributing to the creation of community and shaping the physical and social landscapes of cities. This interdisciplinary study explores the relationship between performance and urban space, drawing on theory, case studies, and interviews with practitioners. It examines how space is performatively produced to create a sense of 'placeness' and investigates the connections between space and the construction of social and cultural narratives. The study combines interdisciplinary approaches to contemporary performance, architecture, and digital media studies, building on a clear theoretical framework that draws on the work of various scholars. It offers themed sections comprising theory, studies of practice, and interviews with practitioners, with case studies including site-specific work by Catalan collective La Fura Dels Baus, community engagement in Praça Roosevelt in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the Portland Inn Project in Stoke-on-Trent, UK, Campo de la Cebada in Madrid, Spain, and digital spaces created by artists in India and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Performance plays a crucial role in urban renewal and regeneration by creating and transforming places. It contributes to the creation of community by fostering a sense of belonging and identity among residents. Through various forms of performance, such as theatre, installations, site-specific work, visual arts, and digital performance, space is performatively produced to evoke emotions, stimulate dialogue, and create a sense of place.

One of the key aspects of performance in urban renewal and regeneration is its ability to shape the physical and social landscapes of cities. Performative actions can transform spaces into vibrant and dynamic environments that encourage interaction and engagement. For example, theatre performances can bring people together in public spaces, creating a sense of community and promoting social cohesion. Installations can create immersive environments that challenge perceptions and provoke thought, while site-specific work can respond to the unique characteristics of a particular location.

Performance also plays a role in the construction of social and cultural narratives. It can be used to convey messages, values, and experiences that are important to a particular community. For example, community engagement in Praça Roosevelt in Sao Paulo, Brazil, involved a series of performances that addressed issues of social inequality and environmental degradation. These performances helped to raise awareness and promote change in the community.

In addition to its impact on urban renewal and regeneration, performance has also been recognized as a valuable tool for urban planning and design. It can be used to identify potential sites for development, evaluate the impact of proposed projects, and engage the community in the planning process. For example, the Portland Inn Project in Stoke-on-Trent, UK, involved a series of performances that helped to shape the design of a new hotel and create a sense of place for the local community.

However, the impact of performance on urban renewal and regeneration can be both positive and negative. While it can create vibrant and dynamic environments, it can also lead to gentrification and displacement of residents. It is important to ensure that performance is inclusive and accessible to all members of the community, and that it does not contribute to the marginalization of certain groups.

To address these challenges, there have been efforts to promote inclusive and accessible performance in urban renewal and regeneration. This includes the development of community-based performance programs, the use of participatory design processes, and the integration of performance into urban planning and design. For example, the Campo de la Cebada in Madrid, Spain, is a public space that has been transformed into a vibrant cultural hub through a series of participatory performances and events.

In conclusion, performance has a significant impact on urban renewal and regeneration, contributing to the creation of community and shaping the physical and social landscapes of cities. It can be used to convey messages, values, and experiences, and to identify potential sites for development. However, it is important to ensure that performance is inclusive and accessible to all members of the community, and that it does not contribute to the marginalization of certain groups. By promoting inclusive and accessible performance, we can create more vibrant and diverse cities that are more responsive to the needs of their residents.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350349810