After looking at what is performance itself, I felt it necessary to look into ‘what is CEP?’. I decided to do some continuous writing on the subject with different headings in relation to CEP. This is what I got:
Contemporary:
This is something that is modern. It’s new and unexpected to the viewers. There is or can be no performance that has been similar or is this same. It is the idea of postmodern and the way the world looks at society and culture in the 21st century. Contemporary makes me this of the idea of something being ‘edgy’ and being in the present. There is no past.
Experimental:
Taking risks. Exploring boundaries. Knowing no fear. These are all ideas that I personally associate with the idea of something being experimental. It should be something new. Something raw that, in the sense of performance, is novel to the audience/spectator. Experimental comes from some experience from the past that one decides to explore and/or recreate thus, experimenting with it.
Performance:
In terms of performance, before beginning this module, I would have said that a performance is a show that depicts something from history most likely. In terms of drama, I would have said a performance is a person/ensemble acting on a stage from premeditated material. Now, I see performance as whatever I want it to be. Just writing this post is a performance. Living is a performance. This suggests that a performance knows no boundaries, has no limitations and can be whatever the performer wants it to be.
After collating all of these ideas, I began to feel like I had a better understanding in what CEP actually is and where, as a performer, I could take it? This answer to that being: wherever I want to. CEP doesn’t even have to be secluded to a room or a space or a stage. It can be digital or it could exist online. The options are limitless.
After thinking more about the idea of defining CEP I began to question myself and whether you can define it.
Is it worthless even trying to define this term?
Is there a specific definition which will include everything possible?
I’m not sure. I do not believe that something a widely open as the term CEP can be defined specifically or even catgorised as there are no boundaries or limits to base this on.