Edith Piaf's simplicity as a model for contemporary body art
Angela Vettese reflects on the evolution of body representation in art, from 1960s provocative performances to today's normalized, less violent approaches. She contrasts the raw simplicity of Edith Piaf's final video (1963) with contemporary body modifications like tattoos and piercings. Artists such as Lisa Yuskavage, John Currin, Precious Okoyomon, Andra Ursuta, and Simone Leigh explore distorted or ritualistic bodies. Historical performances by Rudolf Schwarzkogler, Valie Export, Vito Acconci, Carolee Schneemann, and Ana Mendieta are cited as early provocations. Later, Stelarc's Third Hand (1980-88) and Marcel·lí Antúnez Roca's Epizoo (1994) introduced robotic elements. In the 2000s, performances by Tino Sehgal, Alexandra Pirici, Cally Spooner, and Christodoulos Panayiotou normalized corporeal art. Vettese argues that today's youth use tattoos and tech as tribal markers, not experimental body language. She highlights artists like Pierre Huyghe, Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg, and Hito Steyerl who engage viewers in participatory, posthuman futures. The article concludes that Piaf's unadorned vulnerability mirrors our anxiety about the future.
Key facts
- Edith Piaf's final video was shot in 1963 before her death at 47.
- Piaf's simple appearance is contrasted with today's tattooed, pierced bodies.
- Lisa Yuskavage and John Currin paint exaggerated sensual bodies.
- Precious Okoyomon creates earth sculptures of female busts with climbing plants.
- Andra Ursuta exhibits glass female heads with elongated skulls.
- Simone Leigh dresses bronze figures in raffia skirts with wooden faces.
- Rudolf Schwarzkogler's Aktion Sommer (1965) involved genital mutilation.
- Valie Export's Genitalpanik (1969) featured a gun pointed at viewers.
- Vito Acconci's Seedbed (1972) involved public masturbation.
- Carolee Schneemann's Interior Scroll (1975) extracted poetry from her vagina.
- Ana Mendieta's siluetas (1973-76) used fire, leaves, and flowers.
- Stelarc's Third Hand (1980-88) was a prosthetic on his forearm.
- Marcel·lí Antúnez Roca's Epizoo (1994) used an exoskeleton controlled by viewers.
- Tino Sehgal's This Is So Contemporary (2003) featured singing jumpers at Venice Biennale.
- Alexandra Pirici, Cally Spooner, and Christodoulos Panayiotou are contemporary performance artists.
- Silvia Calderoni embodies her queer identity without pretense.
- Allen Ginsberg's Howl (1954/5) is cited as early LGBTQ+ advocacy.
- Pierre Huyghe creates dark sci-fi installations.
- Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg works with pollinator gardens.
- Hito Steyerl designs technological labyrinths.
- Angela Vettese is director of the master's program in visual arts and fashion at IUAV.
Entities
Artists
- Edith Piaf
- Lisa Yuskavage
- John Currin
- Precious Okoyomon
- Andra Ursuta
- Simone Leigh
- Rudolf Schwarzkogler
- Valie Export
- Vito Acconci
- Carolee Schneemann
- Ana Mendieta
- Marina Abramović
- Stelarc
- Marcel·lí Antúnez Roca
- Tino Sehgal
- Alexandra Pirici
- Cally Spooner
- Christodoulos Panayiotou
- Bebe Vio
- Silvia Calderoni
- Allen Ginsberg
- Pierre Huyghe
- Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg
- Hito Steyerl
- Angela Vettese
Institutions
- Artribune
- IUAV (Università Iuav di Venezia)
- Venice Biennale
Locations
- Venice
- Italy