Performa 13 Biennial Opens in New York with Focus on Performance as Discrete Medium

Performa 13, established by RoseLee Goldberg, kicks off today in New York and will continue until November 24. This biennial event commissions visual artists to present live performances, showcasing talents such as Subodh Gupta, Rashid Johnson, and Marianne Vitale. Previous participants, including Omer Fast and Nathalie Djurberg, who had not engaged in live performances before, produced groundbreaking works. This year's theme centers on Surrealism, following the focus on Futurism in 2009 and Russian Constructivism in 2011. Performa collaborates with artists for over a year to refine their concepts. The new initiative, 'Pavilions Without Walls,' explores the cultural landscapes of Norway and Poland. With over 40,000 attendees and 4 million website visits, Performa has inspired museums to create performance spaces. Goldberg has praised Jay Z's 'Picasso Baby' for its respectful approach to performance art.