Starting from the presupposition that introducing the notion of discursive identity in the context of scientific inquiry of art produces crucial changes in understanding the processes of individuation in the creative process of performing arts, interdisciplinary project we proposed serves as the first systematic investigation of that kind meant to be applicable in the field of performing arts. The project includes scientific, theoretical, theoretical-performing and practical-performing exploration of individuation processes on the relational space of culture along with research results gained from identity theories. Accepting the notion of discourse as intersubjectively organized patterns of functioning whose inner structure is being considered as a topic of discursive anthropology as multi-aspect anthropology of the pluralities of human identities that constitute him as a discursive being – the project examines the dynamics of exchange on the relational space of culture with special emphasis on processes of individuation in the creative process of performing arts.

Interdisciplinary approach tries to clarify the notion of the discursive, intersubjective identity in the context of performing artistic processes (as in context of role-making in the theory of acting); to present the corporeal as a dimension of mind, and to dissect the creative process of impersonation. Furthermore, it investigates the implications of the notion »relational dynamics« in context of performing arts, especially with applying the theory of autopoietic systems in culture (N. Luhman, H. Maturana-E. Varela); and finally, the results of theoretical-performing researches are going to be exemplified with selected items of performative praxis. The project incorporates theoretical-performing research of relations between memory and representation, »constructive memory« and performative use of »relational memory«-topic dealt with in cognitive philosophy and cultural history (D. Dennett, H. Gardner, A. Gehlen. M. Johnson, M. Merleau-Ponty, M. Niquet, Z. Radman P.F. Strawson, F.J. Varella). The innovative aspects of the interdisciplinary researches this project includes become visible, and actually gain basic significance in the field of theories of performance with mutual influence between theory of performing arts' results and those of scientific research of disciplines, such as discursive anthropology, anthropology of individuation, cognitive sociology, phenomenology, cultural history, gender studies, ethnology, cultural anthropology, ethnotheatrology and theories of performance. Among other issues, the research examines the ways in which the discursive field limits and generates identity. The project is also focused on the research of interactions between identity and physical world, with special emphasis on the process of formation of social, temporal and discursive relational spaces. The very core of our research are creative performative spaces, determined by notions of gender, sex and body, all in the context of theatrical performance, ritual and fashion (A. Butler, J. L. Felman, J. Weatheral). Notions »body«, »person«, »intersubject« are being scrutinized during the scenic dynamics of exchange on the relational space of culture, such as the process of »co-playing« (Gavella, Petlevski) as elaborated in phenomenologically based theories of acting. The project also deals with other types of identity-based relational spaces which can produce implications in the field of the performing (urban spaces of identity, institutional colonial and postcolonial spaces of identity, national and transnational spaces of identity, spaces of identity developed under the influence of popular culture, marginal and liminal spaces with associated notions of periphery, border, the Other, and Different). Project initially accepts research results and dilemmas of identity theories (R. Carnap, D. Davidson H. Feigl, M.E. Levin, D. Lewis, U.T. Place, H. Putnam, D.M. Rosenthal, J.J.C. Smart, W.V. Quine), and cognitive sciences as well (P.M. Churchland, O. Flanagan, J. R. Searle). In the innovative manner, the following notions are being introduced in the context of theory of performing arts: mental event, intersubjective identity, discursive objectification, individuation, intersubject, perception, perceptual synthesis, perception as a form of physical experience, perceptual anticipation, reception, linguisticality, communicability, interactivity, physicality, auto-referentiality, reflexivity, intentionality, emotional sense, physical as a dimension of mind, autopoietic system, relational space, dynamics of exchange, co-playing, relational memory and others.

Discursive Identity in Performing Arts; Bodies, Personae, Intersubjects
Project type: Ministry of Science, Education and Sports
Project ID: 264-1890666-2646
Project head: Prof. dr. Sibila Petlevski

Department of dramaturgy, Academy of Drama Art, University of Zagreb

The Academy of Drama Art is considered as artistic and pedagogical successor of Croatian Drama School founded in 1896. Academical study of acting and theatre directing was instituted by dr. Branko Gavella, dr. Drago Ivanišević and Ranko Marinković, when by Directive on establishing (N. N. 56/1950) the Academy of Theater Art was founded. Along its own values, developed throughout the whole century, Academy honours the three-century tradition of the University of Zagreb and adheres to it as its member in 1979. The Higher Education Act of 1993 declares University of Zagreb as owner and founder of the Academy of Drama Art, while Republic of Croatia is the owner and founder of the University.