Adrian Piper: Performance Art

Abstract

Adrian Piper is a black woman, an artist, a yoga enthusiast, and a philosopher. In the early 70's she made the decision to start incorporating her body in her work. Piper Became known in the art world because of her conceptual art, but when she did not fit the mold of white male artist, many turned their backs on her. incorporating her body into her work meant no more confusion about who the artist is. Through her performance art Piper has set out to alienate her audience and make them uncomfortable, she aimed to "test [her audiences] perceptions and [to] make them feel self-conscious". Later she delves into issues such as racism and sexism. Through her well known Catalysis works, though her The Mythic Being series on to her endurance dance pieces, Piper succeeds at bringing the self-conscious of her audience to the forefront of their minds.