Performance of a Lifetime

by Emma E. Murray

Juniper Fleiss's performance art work pushes the boundaries of violence and taboo in art, centered on themes of misogyny and mental health. We present a collection of her most extreme works through her career, asking a question of the audience: How much of art is pain?

"Performance of a Lifetime" is the second chapbook from Archive of the Odd. In 26 pages of interviews, website excerpts, and museum audio tours, "Performance of a Lifetime" will leave you questioning modern art—and humanity.

Genres: Short Stories, Contemporary

28 pages, ebook

Published August 24, 2024

About the author

Emma E. Murray (she/her) explores the dark side of humanity in her fiction. Her work has appeared in Vastarien and Cosmic Horror Monthly among other places. Her works includes When the Devil, Crushing Snails, The Drowning Machine and Other Obsessions, and Shoot Me in the Face on a Beautiful Day. When she isn’t writing, she is usually found playing make-believe with her young daughter or make-believe with her friends (aka D&D).

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This transcript of a museum audio guide of an art installation that follows the work and life of a performance artist named Juniper Fleiss was disturbing and powerful!

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible short, presented as the transcript of a museum audio tour! Utterly original, it hits hard and shows both talent and originality as well as jaw-dropping imagination. It brings to life the art exhibits of a female performer, and it is told as if the reader was actually visually impaired and needed all details spelt out. What this means is that one can enjoy the visuals described as well as the terrific, subtly suspenseful writing, cunningly crafted to highlight details and nuance about the meaning of the artwork (the performance described) and its background. The idea of the tour allows the artist's story to be filled bit by bit, but also to reveal her concerns and imply her art's wider purpose. There's some gore and other triggers, but it all feels so real, so pressing, so urgently plausible, it's hard to believe this is just a story - there's so much truth in it! Highly recommended!

[David Swisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This was an expertly crafted story.

Told as an audio guide of an artist's portfolio of performance art pieces highlighting the artists deteriorating mental health and providing commentary on social media, Internet bullying, domestic violence and society's treatment of women.

The format and writing really had the imagery exploding off the pages. I really felt for our artist. I think this one will stick with me for a long time.

[Emma E. Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is one of my very best short stories :)

[Ryn Rehnard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but incredible.

[Aria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very visceral and compact short. The objectification of personhood. Intense, but you don't need a long review-just get a copy.