My understanding of SSP is becoming clearer after reading various articles explaining the art from. It is more than simply putting on a performance in an unusual and unthought-of of location, although passers by at first instance categorize it as this. Site Specific Performance is to take the audience to a location that they feel is completely brand new, with a purposeful context that masks the site so beautifully, it is as if this place never existed before. This if it is done with attention to detail, passion and imagination can be truly magical.

Before my first group meeting, I carried out personal research on the history ofLincoln. Other than being a student in this picturesque city for a year and a half now, I know extremely little on the culture that the magnificent historical building’s must hold, and I was curious to see if something spectacular was lurking beneath the bricks of a potential site for our performance. Due to SSP being brand new to me, I am uncertain of what type of venue I am in search of, but I feel that this will come naturally with the idea’s my group and I discuss along the process.

For the first group meeting, we decided to start our search on YouTube! In prior to the meeting, we had set ourselves a task of watching as many variations of SSP that we could, bringing our favourite’s to share with the rest of the group. However, we came to the conclusion that we did not feel inspired by many of the example’s we found and frequently came away confused. This is not always a bad feeling to come away with, if what had confused you, also made your imagination wonder however, these video’s in particular did not. Fortunately though, we all were interested in the work of Physical Theatre Company DV8, which gave us inspiration to look into using movement within our performance. One video in particular that we found intriguing was ‘The Cost of Living’. Not only did we think the movement to be on top point, but the use of dialogue we found to stand out, as this is not always incorporated into Physical Theatre, due to the story often telling itself.

Through watching numerous films through research, we have decided that we will incorporate film into our piece, whatever that may be.

I have never created a blog before, which goes hand in hand with my experience of Site Specific Performance. I was aware that it is a piece of art that is relevant to its site, and represents a clear link with its venue, but other than that, I knew very little. Pavis describes Site Specific Performance to be a term which “refers to a staging and performance conceived on the basis of a place in the real world” (1998, p.g.337-8). Using this as a guideline, I have come to understand that the subject is enormous and at first sight, slightly overwhelming. The freedom we have been given with this module is unbelievable and I am yet to decide whether I think this to be an advantage or a setback. Due to the large umbrella that covers Site Specific Performance, it is highly likely that I have come across some sort of SSP before, I was just unaware. Backing up immensely my performance title of: ‘You have not been here before’.

Works Cited
Pavis P, (1998), Dictionary of the Theatre: Terms, Concepts and Analysis, University of Torronto Press.