The Performing Observer: Essays on Contemporary Art, Performance and Photography

Twenty years of writing on art, performance, and photography.

This collection of short, critical writings on contemporary art, performance, and photography analyzes a wide range of global practitioners, from emerging to established artists. The result is a well-informed, jargon-free survey of significant developments in contemporary art and culture over the past two decades. Among the artists discussed are Francis Alys, Laurie Anderson, Chris Burden, William Eggleston, Cindy Sherman, and Andy Warhol.

The subject area examines an important series of interconnected contemporary art practices. Comprising writings on performance-based work, material forms, and photography, the book locates performance within a broader art context. Approachable for a wide audience, it provides scholarly and critical depth along with an accessible writing style. It will particularly appeal to readers closely involved in contemporary art theory and practice, whether students, artists, or academics.