Trisha Brown Dance Company at the Whitney Museum, 1971, photo by Walter Gutman

July 15, 2010 – Why so much performance art in museums right now?  Off the Wall, an exhibit exploring performative actions at the Whitney Museum in New York offers a possible answer.  The exhibit catalog states that “Our culture of perpetual interconnectivity and constant feedback, created by the infusion of technology into everyday lives, seems to have stimulted a desire for a more participatory experience with art – one in which the boundary between art and life is constantly called into question.”  During the 1960s and 70s the crossover between visual and performing arts moved forward with dancers and choreographers like Yvonne Rainer, Anna Halprin, Simone Forti, Trisha Brown, Merce Cunningham, and Steve Paxton incorporating performative actions as well as film and sculptural elements in their work.  The currently running Part 1 – Thirty Performative Actions consists of photographs, films and opportunities for visitors to perform actions in the space.  For Part 2 – Seven Works By Trisha Brown beginning September 3,  the Trisha Brown Dance Company will perform six dance works and a sound installation.