Performing with Plants in the Ob-scene Anthropocene

Authors

  • Annette Arlander University of the Arts Helsinki

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7146/nts.v32i1.120411

Keywords:

Performance, Theatre, Non-human, Posthuman, Performance analysis, Anthropocene feminism, Braidotti, Anthropocentric, Anthropomorphic, Performing with plants

Abstract

Is there a way for the anthropocentric and anthropomorphic art form par excellence, the theatre, or performance art for that matter, to expand beyond their human and humanist bias? Is the term Anthropocene in any way useful for theatre and performance studies or performance-as-research?

In the anthology Anthropocene Feminism (Grusin 2017) Rosi Braidotti proposes four theses for a posthumanist feminism: 1) feminism is not a humanism, 2) anthropos is off-center, 3) zoe is the ruling principle, 4) sexuality is a force beyond gender. These assertions can undoubtedly be put on stage, but do they have relevance for developing or understanding performance practices off-stage and off-center, such as those trying to explore alternative ways and sites of performing, like performing with plants?

In this text, I examine Braidotti’s affirmative theses and explore their usefulness with regard to performance analysis, use some of my experiments in the artistic research project “Performing with plants” as examples, and consider what the implications and possible uses of these theses are for our understanding of performances with other-than-human entities, which we share our planet with.

Author Biography

Annette Arlander, University of the Arts Helsinki

Annette Arlander, DA, is an artist, researcher, and a pedagogue, one of the pioneers of Finnish performance art and a trailblazer of artistic research. In 2018-2019 she was professor in performance, art, and theory at Stockholm University of the Arts. At present, she is visiting researcher at the Academy of Fine Arts University of the Arts Helsinki and the principal investigator of the Academy of Finland funded research project How to Do Things with Performance (2016-2020). Her research interests include artistic research, performance-as-research, site-specificity, and the environment. Her artwork moves between the traditions of performance art, video art, and environmental art.

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Published

2020-05-31

How to Cite

Arlander, A. (2020). Performing with Plants in the Ob-scene Anthropocene. Nordic Theatre Studies, 32(1), 121–142. https://doi.org/10.7146/nts.v32i1.120411

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Section

Articles thematic section