Marina Tsaplina Portfolio

toddbetterley asked: Marina, what is the nature of an un-performance? Thanks Todd

Todd!
well,

maybe before answering what is an un-performance, we need to define what is a performance, as before we undo something we need to do it, right?

so, im going to take myself through this as much as i am taking you.
The first “rule”- if i may be so bold- of something to be considered a performance, is that there needs to be an audience present.  For the intention of trying to narrow and specify our definition, I will call an audience one that is other human beings (though this did spark an idea of how to do a performance for a group of cats, or dogs, or monkeys, or tigers, or any group of creatures. as well as of course doing a performance for a group of things, but lets keep those, at least for the moment, outside of this conversation)

So say you have your audience of people. 
Or, a potential audience.
An audience implies that there is distance-space- between the performer and audience. 

Let us simplify even the performance itself into a single action.

A performative action-
a performative action done from the stage (stage defined as designated area of performance) seeks to give something to the audience.
What is being given is as wide in scope as how many performance actions there are, however I think that the deepest and most profound performance actions leave the audience with specific questions that they helped to awaken, and a sense of wonder. 

However, a lot of performance actually exists in the moments Between the actions.   and are, in a way, non-actions. 

The performative non-action is the moment that the performer has for deciding, and living in that decision making process (verses the performative action which is already the decision)  and it is within this space that the richest opportunity to plant for wonder and questioning is seated.

and the stringing together, of the performative action-nonaction-action, is a performance whole.

put this process through the lens of different characters, their choices and dramaturgical situations, and you get theater. 

So, if a performance is a giving- arising- of a state/emotion/thought in the audience/reciever

then what is the opposite of a performance? 
or an unperformance?

well, as it still is a performance, then the same rules must apply, in that it (the unperformance) still requires an audience (a “receiver” of the performance)
as it still needs to be giving something

so then, the “un” comes in its guise- as it is not understood necessarily as a performance. 
then let us rephrase and ask:
what is the nature of a performative unperformance?

The traditional space between performer (giver) and audience (receiver) is not set, the gap is fluid, or doesn’t exist. the stage/audience relationship is erased. the possibility of role reversal is very high. 
a performanceunperformance can be the offering of an ashtray from one person to another at a party, the two people having not communicated for a long time because of being on hostile terms. 
The significance of that act is very large in the space between these two people, boundaries being unclear.

there is a lot of talk currently about “erasing the gap between audience and actor”
I don’t agree with that.
I think you do what is appropriate, for the situation you are in, and for the gift, you are trying to give.

Sometimes, a stage is necessary, that initial gap is necessary, and the performance is “gifted” when that space seemingly disappears- the performer is successful in giving to the audience the gift. Also known as ”breaking the 4th wall”
That is what is ironic about that currently hot-contested “gap” between audience and actor—— it exists initially, but disappears after a truly successful giving.

I would say, that the Occupation as a whole is a performanceunperformance.
with moments of absolute pure and outright performance.

 Thank you for asking and giving me the opportunity to answer.
Thoughts in response?