藝術類研究生英語教程（簡體書）

Unit 2 Performance ArtListening TasksMicro Listening Skills
Performance art is art in which the actions of an individual or a group at a particular place and in aparticular time constitute the work. It can happen anywhere, at any time, or for any length of time.Performance art can be any situation that involves four basic elements : time, space, the performers body anda relationship between performer and audience. It is opposed to painting or sculpture, for example, where anobject constitutes the work.
In performance art, usually one or more people perform in front of an audience. In contrast to thetraditional performing arts, performance art is unconventional. Pbrformance artists often break conventions oftraditional performing arts, and break down conventional ideas about "what art is," similar to the postmodernart movement. Thus, even though in most cases the performance is in front of an audience, in some cases,the audience becomes the performer. The performance may be scripted, unscripted, or impromptu. It mayincorporate music, dance, song, or complete silence. The audience may buy tickets for the performance, theperformance may be free, or the performer may pay the audience to watch the performance.
Passage
Everybody Going Pillow Fighting
On April 1, 2012, hundreds of people flocked to Trafalgar Square in central London to beat one anotherover the head. They came dressed in pajamas, dressing gowns and fancy dress to take part in the pillow fight.
Most of them carried feather-filled pillows that exploded as they fought.
Some had no sensible reason to be here. "I love this kind of fun," said Tom, surveying the gatheringcrowd in Trafalgar Square. "I heard about it on Facebook, and just thought, Ive got to have some of this. "