Abstract
This paper investigates representations of performance and the role of the archive. Notions of record and archive are critically investigated, raising questions about applying traditional archival definitions to the performing arts. Defining the nature of performances is at the root of all difficulties regarding their representation. Performances are live events, so for many people the idea of recording them for posterity is inappropriate. The challenge of creating and curating representations of an ephemeral art form are explored and performance-specific concepts of record and archive are posited. An open model of archives, encouraging multiple representations and allowing for creative reuse and reinterpretation to keep the spirit of the performance alive, is envisaged as the future of the performing arts archive.
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Notes
Details on HATII can be seen on the centre’s website at: http://www.gla.ac.uk/departments/hatii/.
To access AHDS Performing Arts collections and guidance see: http://ahds.ac.uk/performingarts/.
A report on the summer school with video clips and presentation slides is available at: http://ahds.ac.uk/performingarts/news/reports/summer-school-07.htm.
Details of the research project are available on Dr. Clarke’s homepage at: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/drama/staff_research/paul_clarke/.
Details of Ruth’s use of archives as a source of inspiration can be seen in her residency at LSE archives which resulted in the piece The Gatekeepers. For details see Sue Donnelly, Art in the Archives: An Artist's Residency in the Archives of the London School of Economics at: http://www.tate.org.uk/research/tateresearch/tatepapers/08spring/donnelly.shtm Details of Ruth’s work, including the collaboration with Uriel Orlow Re:Archive is at: http://www.ruthmaclennan.com/.
Gustav Deutsch has reused footage of orphaned works held in European audiovisual collections, piecing short snippets together to create new works http://www.gustavdeutsch.net.
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Jones, S., Abbott, D. & Ross, S. Redefining the performing arts archive. Arch Sci 9, 165–171 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10502-009-9086-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10502-009-9086-1