k 2022

Becoming (m)Other: Ethics of Performing with Animals

TEERINK TURZÍKOVÁ, Tereza

Basic information

Original name

Becoming (m)Other: Ethics of Performing with Animals

Authors

TEERINK TURZÍKOVÁ, Tereza

Edition

Theatre Conference JAMU 2022: Touching Limits / Crossing Borders of Theatre, 2022

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Prezentace na konferencích

Field of Study

60403 Performing arts studies

Country of publisher

Czech Republic

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

Organization unit

Faculty of Arts

Keywords in English

performance art; Maja Smrekar; posthumanism

Tags

International impact
Změněno: 4/1/2023 09:54, Mgr. Tereza Teerink Turzíková

Abstract

V originále

With the development of animal rights and scientific knowledge, the role of non-human animals in the world is changing rapidly. While animals can be still seen as mere metaphors for human existence in some artworks, there are already artists actively working with animals as co-creators, performers, or audience. In my paper, I am going to analyze the performative project Hybrid Family (2016) by Slovenian artist Maja Smrekar and her two dogs. In this project, Smrekar co-habits a gallery space with her adoptive canine family and acts as their mother, inluding breastfeeding a puppy. Discussing Smrekar’s project, I will argue that including non-human animals in performative events may be seen from two opposing standpoints. It may either be seen as an example of speciest domination and animal abuse, OR it may become a potential for animal liberation and disruption of the anthropocentric ideal. Working with concepts from posthuman philosophy of Rosi Braidotti, I will explore the opposing views and problematize ideas such as human subjectivity and evolutionary superiority. In doing so, I would like to propose a possibility of conceptualizing performance as a phenomenon non-exclusive to human cognition and willpower.