Splitting the world : distributed performance as document

Abstract

The present thesis looks at the distributed performance format in light of an emerging document model. It focuses on the possible use of a document model with artistic documentation. It starts out with an overview of the background for this thesis, introducing the institutional connections, and a short overview of distributed performance. The there's a short sub-chapter on terminology, defining and reflecting upon certain relevant terms. Here words such as documentation and performance are elaborated on. The introductory chapter is ended stating an aim for the thesis: “ examining different aspects of an artistic document in order to discuss what an artistic work is, and how to place it within the context of distributed performance”. Then the thesis goes on to focus on the theoretical foundation for the exploration, document analysis and the specific elements thereof. It then goes on to explore the arts based on the theory presented, before it goes on to studying specific artistic performances for the distributed format. The empiric part of this exploration is the participation on and observation of a set of workshops on distributed performance taking place between USA and Scandinavia during the process of writing this thesis. The thesis does not lead to any clear cut answers to what art is, but explores to a certain extent what it can be.