Performance Art Resources began as a response to the lack of information available on performance artists from around the world. The European diaspora was well represented (at least for the better known and more marketing savvy artists), but many, if not most of the world, was not as easy to find. This is a project centering inspiration and connection in performance art over promotion.
The purpose for PAR is twofold.
First, to create a resource for artists working in performance/live/action art to be able to find their community, to feel a part of a larger movement. It is understood that promotion is key expand their work. For this site the focus is being able to see scope of your art in your region, genre, or style.
Secondly, while the origins of performance art are well known. Dada, Vienna Actionists etc. are a large part of the art form. It is our contention that interactive, in-your-face, political performance has been a part of every society in recorded history. PAR hopes to make it easier to see how the traditions of non-European, and pre-20th century forms have informed, merged with, and enriched performance art. Doctoral thesis anyone?
The Performance Art Resources Team:
Ken James, Founder, Editor, Researcher:
Ken James founder of Performing Art Resources (PAR), educator and researcher navigating the human experience in stage and site-specific work, performance art, durational art, installation art, and screen by weaving subconscious patterns of thought, habits, and interactions of our creature into choreography. Ken has taught in universities, and served on various panels and boards in the arts community. He started PAR originally to create a resource for teaching, and continued when the global need became increasingly clear. Ken is also a production manager and lighting designer for dance and theater.
İzel Karaca, Editor
İzel Karaca is a researcher, writer and editor bridging the fields of sociology, art and critical theory. After completing her undergraduate education at Marmara University, Department of Sociology, Karaca studied at Kassel University in Germany as part of an academic exchange program. Afterwards, she completed her master’s degree in Sociology at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University with a thesis titled “Performance Art with Postcolonial Theories: A Critical Reading on Turkey”. In her thesis, she examined performance art through the lens of postcolonial theory and presented a critical reading of Turkey’s sociopolitical environment and cultural narratives. Karaca is currently a PhD candidate in the same department. Since 2022, she has been working as a coordinator and researcher at Performistanbul, an international performance art platform based in Istanbul. In this role, she contributes to various processes such as production, exhibition, archival research and development of public programs that increase the visibility and critical reception of performance art both locally and internationally. She writes poetic and experimental texts as well as critical essays and reviews in various artistic disciplines. She also works as an editor for various journals and independent publications and participates in collaborative research and publishing initiatives.
