The emancipating possibilities of performing with cartoons

Oliver, ML

Abstract

The emancipating possibilities of performing with cartoons’ focuses on the
impact and implications of performing with the cartoon double. It offers a brief
history of the author’s practice and explores the creation of an original devised
digital performance work which sees the human-cartoon-interface as a radical
new mode of performance. By touching on hypotheses by Auslander, Causey and
Leslie, this article explores the correlation between experimental performance
practice and contemporary theories on the digital double. Comedy writing is pro-
posed as a method through which an equilibrium can be achieved between
actual and cartoon performer, countering current hypotheses on the virtual inter- face and the disappearing body in favour of a view which forefronts the tenacious and still very present body of the ageing performer. Oliver proposes that it was only a matter of time for the performance artist to explore the disruptive quality of cartoon animation with its own temporal, spatial and cultural concerns and her explorations into this ‘low’ art form open up a discussion which questions the value systems that we currently employ to analyse performance practice.

Citation

Oliver, M. (2008). The emancipating possibilities of performing with cartoons. International Journal of Performance Arts and Digital Media, 4(1), 59-67. https://doi.org/10.1386/padm.4.1.59_1

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: May 15, 2008
• Deposit Date: May 10, 2013
• Journal: International Journal of Performing Arts and Digital Media
• Print ISSN: 1479-4713
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 59-67
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1386/padm.4.1.59_1
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1386/padm.4.1.59_1
• Related Public URLs: http://www.intellectbooks.co.uk/journals/view-Journal,id=120/view,page=0/