Pandemic and the Future of Performance Art

The article explores how the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing might transform performance art, which relies on physical presence and interaction. The author references Franco Berardi's concept of 'afefobia' (fear of touch) and notes that the AIDS crisis in the 1980s already reduced physical contact and boosted digital communication. Digital technology has long been integrated into performance, as seen in Steve Dixon's book 'Digital Performance' (2007), which traces precursors from Greek deus ex machina to Wagner's Gesamtkunstwerk. Currently, museums like the British Museum, Seoul's National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, MAXXI, and MAMbo are offering virtual tours and streaming performances. Art Basel Hong Kong launched online Viewing Rooms with over 2000 works. Manifesta 13 in Marseille postponed its June 7 opening and offers podcasts. The author questions whether online engagement will permanently alter audience behavior or spur a return to live events. Antonio Laudazi of Marte5 predicts that virtual reality will create a new hybrid art form between video games and dreams, allowing immersive experiences of nonexistent places. The article concludes that streaming performances remains rare due to copyright fears, but future works may be designed for virtual spaces like websites or augmented reality.