AAD Sessions: Performance and Ethics

Art, Architecture and Design Research at London Met. Weekly seminars, book launches, lectures and other research-focussed events. For the latest follow us on Twitter @Research_LMArts for updates on what's happening research-wise at AAD.

Art, Architecture & Design Research (LondonMet)

Performance and Ethics: Mimetics, Distance and Spectating Suffering: An AAD Session hosted by CREATURE.

This <a href="https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/research/centres-groups-and-units/the-centre-for-creative-arts-cultures-and-engagement/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">CREATURE</a> event explores the ethics of spectating, specifically in relation to the depiction of suffering in performance. Following a presentation from performance scholar <a href="https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/profiles/staff/john-keefe/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Dr John Keefe</a> on his paper &quot;Boltanski&#x27;s Dilemma&quot;, the event will feature special guests, including <a href="https://www.winchester.ac.uk/about-us/leadership-and-governance/staff-directory/staff-profiles/cuming.php" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Dr Richard Cuming</a> (University of Winchester), <a href="https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/profiles/staff/chiara-danna/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Dr Chiara D&#x27;Anna</a> (performer and practitioner) and <a href="https://nataliekatsou.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Natalie Katsou</a> (theatre director and playwright) who will &#x27;talk-to&#x27; the themes of the paper before leading into an open discussion of the issues and ideas raised, moderated by <a href="https://www.londonmet.ac.uk/profiles/staff/jacek-ludwig-scarso-/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Dr Jacek Ludwig Scarso</a> (Reader in Art &amp; performance at London Metropolitan University).An overview of &quot;Boltanski&#x27;s Dilemma&quot;Working from the Crucifixion episode or pageant from the York Corpus Christi Play, two questions are asked of the spectator:<ul><li> How do they look at such a theatre (scene) from their own time and culture and experiences?</li><li> How do we look at such a theatre (scene) from our own time and culture and experiences?</li></ul>A third question may now be asked by following what we may call &#x27;Boltanski&#x27;s dilemma&#x27;: <ul><li>What sort of pity can we really feel for an imaginary scene on the stage? </li></ul> &quot;...what sort of pity can we feel for an imaginary scene on stage... the spectacle is a cause of the spectator&#x27;s pleasure...viewing suffering is especially problematic when the object of suffering is presumed to be real...&quot;The paper draws on archive (re-visits) and new material to develop key themes now encapsulated by Boltanski’s question and challenge. The paper draws on current neurocognitive research that challenges and re-grounds our understanding of empathy and projection of self in the embodied mind. This informs the spectatorial experience, the spectator’s ability to see and accept the ‘double reality’ of the theatre and other visual (mimetic) experience, and the issues of ‘moral distance’ represented by Boltanski, Bandura and others. Boltanski&#x27;s dilemma confronts us as knowing spectators with the inherent ethical paradox of any and all representations of suffering in any given cultural and social context. The paper draws on case studies from theatre(s), film, and art to illustrate and exemplify the position of the spectator: in the spirit of ethos, a series of musings, of questions and signposts as well as arguments.For internal use only: XX064 / XX055 / XX050 / XX051 / XX005

Our {communityGuidelinesLink} describe the sort of content we prohibit on Eventbrite. If you suspect an event may be in violation, you can report it to us so we can investigate.

To report other categories of prohibited or illegal content, submit {link}

AAD Sessions: Performance and Ethics

More events from Art, Architecture & Design Research (LondonMet)

Discover more events from Art, Architecture & Design Research (LondonMet), from Arts to other experiences you might love.

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all online events to browse and filter by date, category, and more.

AAD Sessions: Performance and Ethics

More events from Art, Architecture & Design Research (LondonMet)

Discover more events from Art, Architecture & Design Research (LondonMet), from Arts to other experiences you might love.

You might also like...

Browse more events with different dates, prices, and formats to find your next great experience.

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all online events to browse and filter by date, category, and more.