Performative Monuments

This book examines how performance art has reshaped the concept of monuments, revealing a compelling connection between art and social engagement.

In Performative Monuments, the author explores the intricate relationship between performance art and the evolution of monuments in the aftermath of significant historical events such as the Second World War, the Holocaust, and the fall of the Eastern bloc. The book delves into how performance artists, once seen as oppositional figures in the 1960s and 1970s, transitioned into prominent monument builders by the 1980s and beyond. This transformation is not attributed to a compromise of their ideals but rather to a deeper understanding of how performance can forge meaningful interpersonal and social connections.

The narrative unfolds through the examination of various artists including Valie Export, Peter Weibel, Marina Abramovic, and Joseph Beuys, who began their careers by critiquing traditional notions of monumentality within authoritarian contexts. Performative Monuments illustrates how these artists have redefined public art by creating participatory monuments that invite audience engagement and delegate political authority to the viewer. This shift marks a significant departure from the static nature of traditional monuments, emphasizing instead the dynamic interplay between art, audience, and context.

Readers will find that Performative Monuments offers a compelling argument about the enduring relevance of performance in contemporary art and its ability to resonate across time and space. By intertwining themes of art, politics, and photography, the book provides insightful perspectives on how these elements coalesce to shape our understanding of monuments today.