Body Art on the BBC

A 30 minute radio programme called ‘The Body of Art‘, which takes a look at the use of the human body in performance art,  is available on the BBC website. Unfortunately it’s only online until the 16th June 2009 but I strongly recommend listening to it whilst it’s there.

There’s an interesting focus on the way performance artist such as Orlan and Stelarc are using medical technology and what the show calls ‘genetic engineering’ (I have no idea if this is the correct term) to push the boundaries of art and science.

There’s also a short segment on Marina Abramovic in which she talks about her infamous Rhythm 0 performance (during which a member of the audience held a loaded gun to Marina’s head) and an interview with Franko B in which he talks about the way 80′s politics influenced his early work. Interestingly Franko says that if he knew then what he knows now, he wouldn’t have done those early blood letting performances as they have become the pieces that define him. I can see his point, it can’t be much fun constantly being seen as ‘that bleeding guy’ when that’s just a small part of the work you do.

The Body of Art on the BBC

[Images: Stelarc and his extra ear. Orlan]