Cancer in Performance: An Affective Encounter

Abstract

This essay delves into the portrayal of the “unpresentable” in contemporary performances centered around cancer, probing how such artistic endeavors defy conventional aesthetic paradigms. I anchor my analysis on the mixed-media dance piece Still/Here (Iowa 1994) by the renowned American experimental choreographer Bill T. Jones. My perspective is enriched by Jean F. Lyotard’s interpretation of the Kantian sublime in postmodern art, contemporary performance theories, art criticism, and personal reflections from cancer-related performances I have experienced. I compare two performances for illustrative purposes: the British musical theater performance A Pacifist’s Guide to the War on Cancer (B. Kimmings, B. Lobel, T. Parkinson, 2016) and the Greek documentary-theater performance In Spite of Everything (Georgia Mavragani and the Hellenic Cancer Society, 2018). Both draw inspiration from genuine cancer narratives and incorporate a blend of professional and amateur artists. Ultimately, my investigation seeks to trace the progression of the representation of cancer in performance