Performative Monuments by Mechtild Widrich (Paperback Book)

Name: Performative Monuments by Mechtild Widrich (Paperback Book)
Brand: Manchester University Press

Manchester University Press

Explore the fascinating transformation of public art in "Performative Monuments: The Rematerialisation of Public Art" by Mechtild Widrich. This insightful book delves into how performance artists from the '60s and '70s became key figures in monument building in later decades. Widrich argues that performance's power to forge interpersonal bonds, both personal and social, is central to its role in contemporary monuments and public art. Discover how body art, preserved in photographs, transcends time and space to engage new audiences, effectively becoming a lasting monument. The book examines art from Austria, former Yugoslavia, and Germany, featuring artists like Valie Export, Marina Abramovic, and Joseph Beuys. It traces their critique of monumentality in public spaces and their development of participatory models that empower the audience. This work offers new perspectives on the interconnectedness of contemporary art, politics, photography, and performance. Summary: "Performative Monuments" by Mechtild Widrich, published in 2014 by Manchester University Press, is a 240-page paperback exploring the evolution of public art and the role of performance in monument creation. Key artists and their works across Europe are analyzed.