What is a defining feature of performance art?

A defining feature of performance art is that it requires the performer and a live audience. This interaction between the artist and the audience is crucial, as it transforms the performance into a shared experience that can evoke immediate emotional and intellectual responses. Performance art often emphasizes the ephemeral nature of the art form, relying on the presence of the audience to complete the experience.

In contrast, scripted performances, linear plots, and traditional theater settings do not specifically define performance art. Performance art may include improvisation and may not follow a conventional narrative structure. It can occur in a variety of public or unconventional spaces, further emphasizing its departure from traditional theater. Therefore, the presence of the live audience and the dynamic that unfolds between the performer and viewers is central to the identity of performance art.