Hi. My first blog. Concerning the PCC assembly/gathering/conference at Caravan Farm September 2 - 6, 2010.
What might it mean to be inside or outside the box?
One possible box: a contemporary mindset which understands a visit to the Theatre as an activity equivalent to renting a DVD. Equivalent commodities. 'Citizens' participate through purchasing and become 'consumers'. Calling theatre a cultural commodity will only integrate artistic practice further into a losing game. We only demean our activities if we attempt to justify them solely according to the rules of the market.
Artistic practice is the ultimate reflection of cultural values. It is inseparable from the viral social culture that produced it. Which is not to say it is incomprehensible to other human cultures. It can be admired from a distance for its beauty or virtuosity but to understand it, the viewer needs to know something of the culture that produced it. So, back to the box idea. The contemporary mindset I refered to considers cultural products as boxable commodities which should be bought and sold like all other products. Ergo, without government support.
