On Edge: Performance at the End of the Twentieth Century

by C. Carr

Through her engaged and articulate essays in the Village Voice, C. Carr has emerged as the cultural historian of the New York underground and the foremost critic of performance art. On Edge brings together her writings to offer a detailed and insightful history of this vibrant brand of theatre from the late 70s to today. It represents both Carr's analysis as a critic and her testament as a witness to performances which, by their very nature, can never be repeated.

Carr has organized this collection both chronologically and thematically, ranging from the emphasis on bodily manipulation/endurance in the 70s to the underground club scene in New York to an insider's analysis of the Tompkins Square Riot as a manifestation of the cultural and social conflicts that underlie much of performance art. She examines the transgressive and taboo-shattering work of Ethyl Eichelberger, Karen Finley, and Holly Hughes; documents specific performances by Annie Sprinkle and Lydia Lunch; and maps the development of such artists as Robbie McCauley, Blue Man Group, and John Jesurun. She also describes the "cross-over" phenomenon of the mid-80s and considers the far-right backlash against this mainstreaming as cultural reactionaries sought to curb the influence of these new artists.

Linda Montano, Chris Burden, G.G Allin, Jean Baudrillard, Patty Hearts, Dan Quayle, Anne Magnouson, John Jesurun, John Kelly, Shu Lea Changvv, Diamanda Galas, Salley May, Rafael Mantanez Ortiz, Sherman Fleming, Kristine Stiles, Laurie Carlos, Jessica Hafedorn, Robbie McCormick, Karen Finley, Poopo Shiraishi, Donna Henes, Holey Hughe, Ela Troyano, Michael Smith, Harry Koipper, John Sex, Nina Jagen, Ethyl Eichelberge, Marina Abramovic, Ulay.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Theatre

Paperback

First published January 21, 1994

Reviews

[Jeff Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

These smart, incisive, and probing reviews of the NYC 1980s performance scene seem like dispatches from another lifetime. Cynthia Carr proves an ideal guide to this wild terrain, an adventurous critic with a well-honed bullshit detector. "On Edge" brims with colorful accounts of extreme events featuring The Kipper Kids, GG Allin, Ann Magnuson, Diamanda Galas, the Neoists, and many more. Some names are now forgotten while others like Maria Abramovic, John Jesrun, and Karen Finley were just beginning to make their mark. On the flip side, the essays about the culture wars, censorship, and multiculturalism sadly remain as relevant as ever. The frontline "as it happens" view of the gentrification of NYC real estate and the marginalization of the arts scene is also enlightening, demonstrating how the ending of this continuing story was written long ago. Hard to believe writing this consistently vibrant and well-wrought appeared every week in The Village Voice for years. Highly recommended.

[Ida · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic. conversational. juicy. informative. fascinating. Assigned reading in my experimental performance history class taught by Keith Hennessy. Need I say more...?

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Carr has completely changed the way I think and write about performance art during the culture wars and its relationship to race and gender. Absolutely empowering.

[Florian Kunz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really in-depth research of the performance art field.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now I know what I missed out on when I was in my 20s.