Fine art in performance

The Seniors Project (12), 1999, chromogenic development print, artist Nikki S. Lee (Korean, b 1970).

WEST PALM BEACH, FL (PNAN) – On view at the Norton Museum of Art through November 9, 2023, “Past Lives: Performance Art through the Camera” features a selection of influential performance artworks from the 1980s to the early 2000s. The exhibition underscores the significance of performance as a fine art form, while also highlighting the strength of Asian and Asian-American artists in the field.

Portrait (Futago), 1998-1990, chromogenic development prints with acrylic paint and gel medium mounted to four joined panels in artist’s frame, artist Yasumasa Morimura (Japanese, b 1951).

Performance art emerged as early as the 1910s, with Futurist and Dada productions, and gained wider recognition post-World War II alongside the rise of conceptual art. Unlike traditional art forms, performance does not rely on a specific medium or format; rather, artists use the movement of their bodies and environment to engage viewers.

Although typically presented live, performances are captured through photos and videos, preserving the lifespan of the work for a broader audience. Beyond its documentary function, these visual recordings also produce autonomous works of art, such as those on view.

Shirakami No. 11, 2008, gelatin silver print, edition of 12, artist Tokihiro Sata (Japanese, b 1957).

For more information on current and upcoming events at the Norton, see www.norton.org.

     Note: Editor’s Pick: While there, take in the Pamela and Robert B. Goergen Garden, this lush sub-tropical garden covers nearly 40,000 square feet.

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