BFA in Art Studio - Performance in Lexington United States | University of Kentucky

Performance art uses the human form as a medium for artistic expression. Emerging from the Dada era of the 1910s-1920s through the Fluxus and Happenings movements of the 1960s-1970s, it revolutionized art by embracing radical experimentation focused on social commentary and collective participation. Closely tied to struggles for justice, equity, and civil liberties, this art form has historically amplified marginalized voices, with many leading practitioners coming from feminist backgrounds. For artists drawn to physical expression and social dynamics, performance art opens creative possibilities beyond conventional boundaries. Whether exploring bodily presence, interpersonal connections, or public visibility, this medium can spark innovative approaches. It liberates artistic practice from traditional materials while potentially reinventing them. Though ephemeral in nature, performance art persists through photographic records and video documentation, frequently blurring the lines with video art and photography.