Overview
This dazzling new book from Sue-Ellen Case looks at how science has been performed throughout history, tracing a line from eleventh-century alchemy to the twenty-first-century virtual avatar. Theatre and science are deeply interwoven in the European tradition, both in historical development and in strategies of representation. As science and new technologies become more pervasive in the social world, whilst at the same time retreating into their own specialized discourses, performances of their power provide a familiar, active interface with them. Performing Science and the Virtual reviews how these performances borrow from spiritualist notions of transcendence, as well as the social codes of race, gender and economic exchange. In this daring and wide-ranging book we encounter Faust, glimpse Edison in his laboratory, enter the soundscape of John Cage and raid tombs with Lara Croft. Case looks at the intersection of science and performance in a way that unsettles our assumptions across these disciplines.About the Author:
Sue-Ellen Case is Professor and Chair of Critical Studies, Theater UCLA
Synopsis
This impressive new book from Sue-Ellen Case looks at how science has been performed throughout history, tracing a line from nineteenth century alchemy to the twenty-first century virtual avatar.
In this bold and wide-ranging book that is written using a crossbreed of styles, we encounter a glance of Edison in his laboratory, enter the soundscape of John Cage and raid tombs with Lara Croft. Case looks at the intersection of science and performance, the academic treatment of classical plays and internet-like bytes on contemporary issues and experiments where the array of performances include:
- electronic music
- Sun Ra, the jazz musician
- the recursive play of tape from Samuel Beckett to Pauline Oliveros
Performing Science and the Virtual reviews how well these performances borrow from spiritualist notions of transcendence, as well as the social codes of race, gender and economic exchange. This book will appeal to academics and graduates studying theatre and performance studies, cultural studies and philosophy.