Jaden Hogan

Performance art is a dynamic art form where the artist’s actions become the medium, often incorporating elements of time, space, and the presence of the artist’s body. Unlike traditional visual arts, performance art is ephemeral and often involves audience participation, blurring the lines between artist and observer.

Yoko Ono’s “Cut Piece”

In 1964, Yoko Ono performed “Cut Piece,” a seminal work in performance art. During this performance, Ono knelt on stage with a pair of scissors placed before her, inviting audience members to approach and cut away pieces of her clothing until she decided to end the performance.   

This act served as a commentary on themes of vulnerability, trust, and the role of the audience in the creation of art. Some interpretations suggest that the gradual removal of her clothing mirrored the torn garments of Hiroshima victims, symbolizing the devastation of war.  

Shaun Leonardo’s “Primitive Games”

Shaun Leonardo’s 2018 performance, “Primitive Games,” held at the Guggenheim Museum, explored themes of conflict and communication. In this work, participants engaged in structured debates and physical movements that mirrored societal power dynamics, aiming to reveal and challenge underlying social tensions.  

Leonardo’s performance highlighted how societal structures influence personal interactions and perceptions, encouraging participants and viewers to reflect on their roles within these systems.

Quotes and Reactions

1. “Ono has performed the piece a total of six times. Part of the intention behind her event scores is that the work may be performed by anyone and Cut Piece has been performed by many artists of all genders.”  

This underscores the universality of “Cut Piece,” emphasizing that its themes transcend individual experience and invite broader participation and interpretation.

2. “Leonardo’s multidisciplinary work negotiates societal expectations of manhood, namely definitions surrounding black and brown masculinities, along with its notions of achievement, collective identity, and experience of failure.”  

This highlights Leonardo’s focus on deconstructing and examining the societal constructs of masculinity, particularly as they pertain to marginalized communities.

3. “In Cut Piece, members of the audience were invited to approach and cut away pieces of Ono’s clothing, as she knelt silently on a stage.”  

This description emphasizes the vulnerability and trust inherent in Ono’s performance, challenging the audience to consider their complicity in the act.

4. “Leonardo’s performance practice, anchored by his work in Assembly a diversion program for court involved youth at the Brooklyn based, arts nonprofit Recess is participatory and invested in a process of embodiment.”  

This illustrates Leonardo’s commitment to using art as a tool for social engagement and transformation, particularly among marginalized youth.

Images of the Artists’ Performances

Yoko Ono’s “Cut Piece" 

Shaun Leonardo’s “Primitive Games”

 

Both artists utilize performance art to confront and engage with pressing social issues, inviting audiences to reflect on their roles within these contexts.