Performance Art in China

by Thomas Berghuis

Performance Art in China takes as its subject one of the most dynamic and controversial areas of experimental art practice in China. In his comprehensive study, Sydney-based theorist and art historian Thomas J. Berghuis introduces and investigates the idea of the "role of the mediated subject of the acting body in art," a notion grounded in the realization that the body is always present in art practice, as well as its subsequent, secondary representations. Through a series of in-depth case studies, Berghuis reveals how, during the past 25 years, Chinese performance artists have "acted out" their art, often in opposition to the principles governing correct behavior in the public domain. In addition to a 25-year chronology of events, a systematic index of places, names and key terms, as well as a bibliography and a glossary in English and Chinese, this study also offers the reader numerous previously unpublished photos and documents.

Genres: Art

Hardcover

First published July 1, 2007

Reviews

[Melody · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is an absolute travesty. The only reason I kept reading it is because it's literally the only book of its kind. It's riddled with typos - initially, I thought maybe they had something to do with translation, until I realized 1) It was written in English and 2) The typos are inconsistent with those that you'd find in translated work. I literally can't even get started on the formatting, it was so bad. Whenever Berghuis mentions someone for the second time, he introduces them completely differently than he did in the first mention. The appendices are atrocious, the footnotes are out of control, and the formatting, my god. The book's only redeeming qualities are that it sets up a chronology of performance art in China, has a lot of great sources cited (I'm literally using it like I would use Wikipedia at this point), and the cover design is by Ai Weiwei (who Berghuis knows and likes to pepper in wherever he can).

[Andrew Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extensive, well researched history of a tumultuous time in contemporary Chinese art, with many astute references to Western Art and Theory. Let alone the insight one gets into the Chinese Art scene, the author makes clear the radical nature of performance and "body art". All (or most) of the major players in contemporary Chinese Art are here, along with many obscure individuals. The entire bureaucratic system of Chinese government censorship is also brought to light.

[Carlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

rough writing but a great source for info on the history of performance art in china...leads to lots of other good books.