Violence and Trauma in Contemporary Performance: Removing and Remembering Histories

Performances dealing with histories of violence and trauma in contemporary societies

In this book, scholars and artists from different fields such as Performance Studies, Cultural and Visual Studies, Psychology and Performance Art address how performances and performance practices engage with histories of violence and trauma in contemporary societies. They explore performance practices as alternative approaches to transitional justice schemes, as embodied encounters with witnesses inside and outside rehearsal spaces, and as research environments for artists working on intergenerational trauma, the legacies of colonialism and migration. The collection offers new ways of seeing, healing and remembering violence and trauma in and through contemporary performances. It challenges common assumptions about dominant and silenced narratives, as well as precarious and resilient bodies that embody performances of historical and ongoing violence and trauma.

Ebook available in Open Access.

Contributing authors: Christel Stalpaert (Ghent University), Sofie de Smet (Ghent University / KU Leuven), Marieke Breyne, Pedzisai Maedza (University College Dublin), Mark Fleishman (University of Cape Town), Klaas Tindemans (RITCS School of Arts), Evelien Jonckheere (Antwerp University), Ayham Salloum, Samah Hijawi (Université Libre de Bruxelles), Mekhitar Garabedian (KASK School of Arts).

Sofie de Smet is an interdisciplinary postdoctoral researcher at KU Leuven and Ghent University, and is active as a family therapist. Her research focuses on the impact of collective violence on community relationships, and the development of creative community-based mental health care, performance and rituals in dealing with histories of displacement, violence, and discrimination.

Marieke Breyne is a performer. She has an MA in Educational Sciences of Ghent University and an advanced MA in Theatre Studies of Antwerp University. She organizes training and research events and artistic residencies.

Pedzisai Maedza is an assistant professor in Theatre, Drama and Performance Studies at University College Dublin and Research Associate at the University of the Free State, South Africa.

Christel Stalpaert is senior full professor of Performing and Media Art Studies of in the Art Studies Department at Ghent University. She is co-director of the research centre S:PAM (Studies in Performing Arts and Media).