Asher Hartman on Leaving Theatre for Performance Art and the Politics of Storytelling

In a recent conversation with Art and Cake LA, artist Asher Hartman shared insights into his evolution from traditional theatre to performance art. Hartman, who initiated his career in theatre across Oakland, San Francisco, and Berkeley, pursued studies at Berkeley Rep and UCLA. After a stint in Tokyo, he returned to Los Angeles, feeling disenchanted with conservative storytelling. He discovered performance art offered greater freedom. Hartman attended Santa Monica College for Design, Art, and Architecture and later enrolled at CalArts, financing his education by authoring trade reference books. He perceives his creations as art rather than theatre, challenging conventional audience expectations for linear plots. Additionally, he critiqued the elitism in visual arts and remarked on the U.S. being 'under fascism.' Tatou Dede conducted the interview.