Performance studies. Experiments with the Methods of Transformation of Sociocultural Landscape

Abstract

In the article, the concept of performance is considered as a leading communicative art practice of socialization of distinct spaces of Western Ukrainian cities. Performance studies are viewed as an effective global interdisciplinary field that views performance and uses performativity as a method of studying various cultural processes and practice of setting up and collaborating of the social groups and urbanistic spaces. In this context, performance art pieces, artistic projects, political actionism and other cultural practices and experiences are presented on the examples of actionism of Western Ukraine. Method of synthesis that helped to compare and generalize scientific sources and literature is applied; as well as the systematic method for the analysis of culturological aspects of performance and sociological method, when culture is considered as a factor in the organization of public life and the formation of the intellectual landscape. The methodology of the field research gave the work practical significance, due to the use of valuable photography materials, memories of the participants of performative practices. Observing the organization of the performance allowed to examine its reflexive effect on the audience. Performance studies are an important discipline that can be useful for all groups of the socio-cultural urban landscape. Studies of performance allow us to understand distinct world cultures or to evaluate our own behavior critically. Artists frequently develop their intuitive abilities through performance, look for hidden meanings in familiar objects and actions. The practice or contemplation of the performance by the consumers of the culture of “bread and spectacles” (Latin: panem et circenses) may consist in understanding one’s own assessment of the circumstances, comparing it with the perception of others, perhaps by changing one’s position. Government institutions have the opportunity to master additional resources to gain understanding of distinct environments of the city and at the same time to acquire effective methods of personnel management.