ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses gender as a constitutive part of identity in its historical emergence through the feminist movement and explores it as a concept in performance art since the 1960s. We make reference to the first, second and third feminist wave and the rise of queer theory. The performativity of gender is explored through the work of key theorists such as Judith Butler and analyzed in case studies of performances. Artists’ exploration of the limits of the body, the relations of bodies, the inscription of bodies and self-harm, in connection with gender and identity, are discussed. Activities and practice prompts for exploring the body and gender-related issues are finally proposed. The aim of the chapter is that performers recognize the gendered identity of the body, understand how this may be constructed, explore gender issues through their work and the work of other artists and, generally, uncover the body as a key element of performance through activities and practice prompts.
