Responding to Site: The Performance Work of Marilyn Arsem

This book explores the performance art of Marilyn Arsem, an internationally acclaimed artist known for her innovative and experimental work that addresses women's history, myth-making, site and geography, audience as witnesses, and intimacy. It includes 200 images and is aimed at scholars and students of performance studies, feminist performance, feminist art history, and performance history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 316 pages
Publication date: 12 September 2020
Publisher: Intellect Books

This book delves into the captivating world of Marilyn Arsem, an internationally acclaimed performance artist renowned for her innovative and experimental work. Arsem's artistic endeavors explore profound themes such as women's history, myth-making capabilities, the power of site and geography, the role of the audience as witnesses, and the intimacy of one-to-one performances.

One of the most prolific performance artists currently active in the United States, Arsem meticulously crafts durational actions that are carefully developed site-responsively. These actions span a wide spectrum, ranging from deceptively simple interventions to intricately orchestrated performances. This edited volume aims to extend Arsem's legacy beyond the confines of her live performances and introduce her work into the realm of the art world. Accompanied by an impressive collection of 200 images, this book holds significant appeal to scholars and students engaged in the fields of performance studies, feminist performance, feminist art history, and performance history. Furthermore, it will make valuable contributions to the emerging narrative of alternative spaces and galleries, a field that is still in the process of being documented.

Having had the honor of knowing Marilyn for over three decades, I have been deeply inspired by her remarkable work. Her artistic practices have provided me with profound insights into the realm of live art, time-based art practice, and durational performance practice. How does one select a single action and perform it over an extended period of time? How does one respond to the site and create a sacred meditative zone, a reflexive space that explores the human condition? Moreover, how does one impart the importance of living while making art as a spiritual and philosophical practice to future generations? This book serves as yet another testament to Arsem's enduring legacy. It is fundamental, in my opinion.

Guillermo Gómez-Peña, a renowned artist and curator, aptly describes the profound experience of witnessing Marilyn Arsem perform. He states, "Watching Marilyn Arsem perform can be a slow, careful, vulnerable, and heart-stoppingly profound experience. To see her is to know better the power of performance to transform, heal, and inspire."

In conclusion, this book offers a captivating exploration into the artistic brilliance of Marilyn Arsem. Through her innovative and experimental work, Arsem has made significant contributions to the field of performance art, pushing the boundaries of what is possible. By extending her legacy beyond live performances and introducing her work to a broader audience, this edited volume ensures that Arsem's impact will continue to resonate for generations to come.

Weight: 986g
Dimension: 241 x 210 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789380972