Output details

‘LipSiCk Queer Feminist Neo-Burlesque’ Curatorial Practice

• PaR (website)

A curatorial practice aiming to reclaim neo-burlesque as a contemporary political and social queer feminist performance art form and including Terret’s own praxis. The curatorial practice of documented symposia and platform performances is published for dissemination as a website.

300 word statement - information about the research process and / or content

This PaR project involves a curatorial practice aiming to reclaim neo-burlesque as a contemporary political and social queer feminist performance art form for which I have coined the term ‘LipSiCk Queer Feminist Neo-Burlesque’ (LipSiCk QFNB). Through the inclusion of my own practice, an insider perspective complements the broader curatorial practice. The research aims are:

➢ to bring together, and thus make visible, the practitioners and thinkers of queer and feminist neo-burlesque and related ‘low art’ performance forms;

➢ to establish ‘family resemblances’ (pace Wittgenstein) between the practices;

➢ to afford a critical framework for the overall praxis;

➢ to document and disseminate findings.

Four public events were held to stage the work of over forty nationally- and internationally-known performers. The events also included critical provocations and scholarly papers, with panel and audience debates involving about 800 people. Each event built upon the PaR outcomes from the previous event and thus each had its own thematic interrogation. All aspects were documented.

The PaR was initially disseminated through live performances at the events held at Central and The Roundhouse between 2008 and 2010. In the role of Doris La Trine, I contribute as a practitioner-researcher (see Doris La Trine section of the website). The curatorial practice is submitted in the form of a website, launched February, 2013, which includes documentation and evaluative reports.

The events and documentation have been supported by Central’s Centre for Excellence in Theatre Training (CETT), Research Office, Theatre Applied Centre for Research In Performance and Social Practice and by The International Workshop Festival and The Roundhouse.