Performing Landscape : An Analysis of Performance Practice in Non-Traditional Environments

The research for this thesis is motivated by a detection of an alternative space for live art performance in the environment of the landscape, as it is not traditionally used live art performance. The aim of this research is to investigate the intimate dialogue between artist and landscape and how this dialogue enhances the work of the artist. Through the medium of performance art, this project will examine the transaction that manifests itself throughout the process of the artist interacting with the landscape and analyse the visual and emotional impact of a given space, which although to most observers seems arbitrarily placed as a backdrop to the art piece, in fact constitutes an essential element of the performance. The selected landscape is tested by theory, definition and performative practice as research. The research project concentrates on critical thinking supported by systematic experimentation, which the researcher can utilize to establish a new work practice and adding systematic observations of nature to create a metaphysical bridge between nature and the artist, which becomes a resource to decipher the communicative non-verbal language between artist and the environment. The research having considered significant sources, is left with the question, what is the relevance of my performance practice in non-traditional live art environments? The response to this question provided by the research findings is that the landscape is a performer. The artist cannot deduce that the landscape is a mere space in live art practice, but has to personalise this alternative environment and interpret it as a partner in art performance. This affirms the conviction that the characteristics of the landscape as a performer aids in building a metaphoric dialogue giving access to the landscape as a partner in performance art