Continuing Education

214 East 21st Street

This course is an exploration of performance art - its history, the development of the theoretical framework and the methods employed in contemporary work - with a focus on conceptual practice. Together we investigate a wide range of performance techniques: from conventional theater to experimental work; from the site-specific to the virtual; from traditional to new media, including installation, text and video. Students will work to create a series of conceptual performance artworks from a sequence of prompts encouraging diverse forms of performance presentation. Lectures, readings and videos, interactive class critiques, assignments and discussions all work together to prepare students for creating their own new performances. At the end of the course there will be a final performance art cabaret. All levels are welcome; no prior experience in performance or art-making is necessary.
NOTE: This course is held on campus at SVA.