Disability and Performance: Bodies on the Edge

Description

This volume presents a challenge to existing assumptions about disability and artistic practice. In particular, it explores where cultural knowledge about disability leaves off, and the lived experience of difference begins. Petra Kuppers, herself an award-winning artist and theorist, investigates the ways in which disabled performers challenge, change and work with stereotypes through their work. She explores freak show fantasies and "medical theatre" as well as live art, webwork, theatre, dance, photography and installations, to cast an entirely new light on contemporary identity politics and aesthetics. This book explores some of the most pressing issues in performance, cultural and disability studies.

Petra Kuppers is Assistant Professor of Performance Studies at Bryant College. She is Artistic Director of the Olimpias Performance Research Project and she has written extensively in the fields of cultural, performance and disability studies.

"'Timely and much needed. As a dancer, choreographer, community workshop artist, and top-notch scholar, Kuppers is uniquely qualified to address the myriad issues that arise when putting disability studies and performance studies into dialogue with one another.' - Carrie Sandahl, Florida State University"