performance art: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Artistic
Quick answer
What does “performance art” mean?
An art form that combines visual art with dramatic performance, where the artist's actions constitute the artwork, often presented live to an audience.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An art form that combines visual art with dramatic performance, where the artist's actions constitute the artwork, often presented live to an audience.
A genre of avant-garde art that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, emphasizing the process of creation, the artist's body, and the event itself over producing a permanent object. It often involves elements of theatre, dance, music, and visual art to challenge traditional boundaries and engage with social, political, or personal themes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The concept and term are identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both cultures, associated with the avant-garde, contemporary art scenes, and conceptual art movements.
Frequency
Equally frequent in artistic and academic discourse in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “performance art” in a Sentence
create + performance artengage in + performance artbe influenced by + performance arta work of + performance artVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “performance art” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She will performance-art her way through the gallery.
- They are performance-arming to challenge perceptions.
American English
- He performance-arted a critique of consumerism.
- The group plans to performance-art in the public square.
adverb
British English
- The piece was conceived very performance-art-ly.
- He approached the project performance-art-fully.
American English
- She works performance-art-istically.
- The protest was staged performance-art-wise.
adjective
British English
- The performance-art piece was profoundly moving.
- She comes from a performance-art background.
American English
- It was a performance-art event, not a play.
- The museum has a strong performance-art programme.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like arts funding, gallery management, or event planning.
Academic
Common in art history, cultural studies, and theatre departments.
Everyday
Low frequency. Used when discussing modern art or specific cultural events.
Technical
Core term in contemporary art criticism and theory.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “performance art”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “performance art”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “performance art”
- Using 'performance art' to refer to any skilled theatrical performance (e.g., a great actor's 'performance art').
- Confusing it with 'performing arts' (a broader category including theatre, dance, music).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both involve live action, theatre typically follows a script and creates an illusion of character and narrative. Performance art prioritizes the artist's concept, often lacks a traditional plot, and may not involve character acting.
Yes, it is often documented via video or photography, but the documentation is considered a record, not the primary artwork itself. The essence is the live, ephemeral event.
Key figures include Marina Abramović, Yoko Ono, Joseph Beuys, Chris Burden, and Ana Mendieta.
Formal training is not a prerequisite. Many performance artists come from visual arts, dance, or self-taught backgrounds. The emphasis is on concept and execution rather than technical skill in a traditional sense.
An art form that combines visual art with dramatic performance, where the artist's actions constitute the artwork, often presented live to an audience.
Performance art is usually formal, academic, artistic in register.
Performance art: in British English it is pronounced /pəˈfɔːməns ɑːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /pərˈfɔːrməns ɑːrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It was pure performance art. (figurative: describing a dramatic or contrived real-life situation)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PERFORMANCE on a stage, but the ART is the performance itself, not a play.
Conceptual Metaphor
ART IS AN EVENT; THE ARTIST'S BODY IS A CANVAS.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is MOST characteristic of performance art?