Experiencing a multiplicity of self/s

PhD thesis


Bacon, T. 2016. Experiencing a multiplicity of self/s. PhD thesis University of Bristol Department of Theatre
TypePhD thesis
TitleExperiencing a multiplicity of self/s
AuthorsBacon, T.
Abstract

This thesis will explore novel applications of phenomenology to performance art, specifically body art, a form which has undergone limited phenomenological analysis in existing scholarship. It will analyse the Being of the performance artist in the process of performative action, where the material is their own, “lived body” (Merleau-Ponty 2002), focusing on how their presence is perceived, produced and experienced through spectator, space, and artist.
As a practice-as-research (PaR) PhD, this enquiry will be underpinned by a methodology that tests my proposed hypothesis (as detailed in chapter one) through qualitative data captured in phenomenological accounts (see preface). These will be documented experiences taken from my curatorial practice as the artistic director of the performance art festival Tempting Failure, and draw on my own experience as a solo artist. This method will enable access to embodied phenomenological experiences of both spectating and performing; offering comparative analysis of both the position of curator/spectator to a performance, and the body artist in action.
These accounts will be underpinned by key phenomenological theories from Maurice Merleau-Ponty (1968, 2002) in view of considering embodied performing and spectating experientially. This will offer and test the application of phenomenology in studies of performance art; with potential transferability to other performance practices. Additional insight from Martin Heidegger’s theories (2009a, 2009b), will signpost areas for future investigation. This enquiry will be contextualised by addressing existing uses of phenomenological thinking in studies of performance art by Amelia Jones (1998, 2003, 2006, 2009) and to dance and digital technology by Susan Kozel (2007, 2015), among others. Case studies from my own PaR will be discussed from both my own artistic practice and a selection of artists I have curated as part of the festival Tempting Failure, whose practices are significant to this enquiry.
The thesis questions the presence of a singular Being and the appearance of an essential Self in performance art. Instead, I propose that a multiplicity of selves are perceived through an investment in physical, psychological or aesthetic risk. This proposition will generate a new eidetic formula for the process of phenomenological perception.

Research GroupVisual Culture and Curating cluster
Theatre Arts group
Department nameDepartment of Theatre
Institution nameUniversity of Bristol
Publication dates
PrintDec 2016
Publication process dates
Deposited05 Feb 2020
Accepted31 Mar 2016
Completed31 Mar 2016
Output statusPublished
Web address (URL)https://bris.on.worldcat.org/oclc/976831647
LanguageEnglish
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Related outputs

Performance for futures (Intellectual Output 3)
Bacon, T. and de Senna, P. 2023. Performance for futures (Intellectual Output 3). in: de Senna, P., Gulmans, J. and Kononiuk, A. (ed.) Replay Your Futures: Training Manual for High School Facilitators Radom, Poland Łukasiewicz Research Network - Institute for Sustainable Technologies. pp. 54-74
Performance for futures (Intellectual Output 2)
Bacon, T. J. and de Senna, P. 2023. Performance for futures (Intellectual Output 2). in: Replay your futures: Labs for exploring undiscovered pathways Radom, Poland Łukasiewicz Research Network - Institute for Sustainable Technologies.
The rapture and rupture of the lived body
Bacon, T. J. 2022. The rapture and rupture of the lived body. in: An introduction to the phenomenology of performance art: SELF/s Bristol, UK Intellect. pp. 93 - 139
The intersubjectivity and intercorporeality of noise and sonic arts
Bacon, T. J. 2022. The intersubjectivity and intercorporeality of noise and sonic arts. in: An introduction to the phenomenology of performance art: SELF/s Bristol, UK Intellect. pp. 139 - 177
The argument for queering 'The origin of the work of art'
Bacon, T. J. 2022. The argument for queering 'The origin of the work of art'. in: An introduction to the phenomenology of performance art: SELF/s Bristol, UK Intellect. pp. 243-246
Introduction to phenomenology and SELF/s
Bacon, T. J. 2022. Introduction to phenomenology and SELF/s. in: An introduction to the phenomenology of performance art: SELF/s Bristol, UK Intellect. pp. 1-19
Embodied experience
Bacon, T. J. 2022. Embodied experience. in: An introduction to the phenomenology of performance art: SELF/s Bristol, UK Intellect. pp. 19-88
An introduction to the phenomenology of performance art: SELF/s
Bacon, T. J. 2022. An introduction to the phenomenology of performance art: SELF/s. Bristol, UK Intellect.
T. J. Bacon reflects on CHTHONIC
Bacon, T. 2020. T. J. Bacon reflects on CHTHONIC. in: Guttenplan, Z. (ed.) Emergency index: an annual document of performance practice New York, US Ugly Duckling Presse.
The lived body: REDUX
Bacon, T. 2014. The lived body: REDUX. The Island, Bristol - Tempting Failure 2014
FIRE
Bacon, T. and Alexander, F. 2015. FIRE. Buzzcut Festival, Glasgow 2015
PASSION/Flower
Fischer, E. and Bacon, T. 2014. PASSION/Flower. MPA Berlin, Germany 2014
TF16 - London Biennial of International Performance Art
Bacon, T. 2016. TF16 - London Biennial of International Performance Art. Matthews Yard (Croydon) Jul 2016
TF18 - London Biennial of International Performance Art
Bacon, T. 2018. TF18 - London Biennial of International Performance Art. Live Art Development Agency Jul 2018
PRESENCE/s
Bacon, T. and Lanz, J. 2015. PRESENCE/s. Ausland, Berlin 2015
Traces of being: a document of absence in words
Bacon, T. 2011. Traces of being: a document of absence in words. activate. 1 (1), pp. 1-19.
CHTHONIC
Bacon, T. 2019. CHTHONIC. Raw Labs, Bow Arts Trust, as part of London Festival of Architecture, London, UK 21 Jun 2019
Psychogenesis series
Bacon, T. 2018. Psychogenesis series. in: Gluzman, Y. and Cleary, S. (ed.) Emergency index: an annual document of performance practice New York, US Ugly Duckling Presse.
Foreword [The furthest point in space is also inside our body]
Bacon, T. 2018. Foreword [The furthest point in space is also inside our body]. in: Dolphin-Krute, M. and Martinez, C. C. (ed.) No one thing is the root of all anything: phases and performance of the imminent by Chelsea Coon Los Angeles, CA Not a Cult. pp. 1-6
Lines in the Landscape Residency 2017 - Sidney Nolan Trust
Bacon, T. 2017. Lines in the Landscape Residency 2017 - Sidney Nolan Trust. United Kingdom Sidney Nolan Trust.
Tempting failure: London Biennial Festival of Live Art 2016 & 2018
Bacon, T. 2016. Tempting failure: London Biennial Festival of Live Art 2016 & 2018.
CHTHONIC (2019) PSYCHOGENESIS SERIES (2018) PERCEPTION:LAB (2015)
Bacon, T. 2015. CHTHONIC (2019) PSYCHOGENESIS SERIES (2018) PERCEPTION:LAB (2015).
PERCEPTION:Lab
Bacon, T. 2015. PERCEPTION:Lab. Mobius Inc., Boston USA 20 Jun 2015