Performative experience design: where autobiographical performance and human–computer interaction meet

Abstract

This contribution identifies theories and practices specific to performance art for the purpose of describing a potentially fruitful area of exchange between non-representational performance and human–computer interaction (HCI). We identify three strands of current HCI research that are already working in this area of overlap, which we have termed ‘performative experience design’. We then single out one of these strands, digitally augmented autobiographical performance, for further examination. Digitally augmented autobiographical performance draws on both autobiographical performance, which we see as rooted in performance and performance art, and media sharing, a field of research within HCI. Drawing on our experiences of designing a digital system for autobiographical performance, we offer a series of proposals for HCI research and applications of performative experience design.