Past Lives: Performance Art through the Camera

Performance art emerged as early as the 1910s, with Futurist and Dada productions, and gained wider recognition post-World War II alongside the rise of conceptual art. Unlike traditional art forms, performance does not rely on a specific medium or format; rather, artists use the movement of their bodies and environment to engage viewers. Although typically presented live, performances are captured through photos and videos, preserving the lifespan of the work for a broader audience. Beyond its documentary function, these visual recordings also produce autonomous works of art, such as those on view.

Past Lives: Performance Art through the Camera features a selection of influential performance artworks from the 1980s to the early 2000s. In showcasing these works from the Museum’s holdings, the exhibition underscores the significance of performance as a fine art form, while also highlighting the strength of Asian and Asian-American artists in the field.