Performativity and Visual Culture

The course explores the concept of performativity, and the ways in which it may be used in the interpretation of art and visual culture. Originating from the field of linguistics, performativity has become an increasingly important concept within social sciences and humanities, enabling us to understand and interpret the outside world, and our personal identities, as shaped and transformed through actions, gestures and signs in social space. Works of art and other images may likewise be understood as performative acts, not only representing the world, but actually contributing to its formation. Throughout this course, the students will work with contemporary as well as historical examples.