A Paidic Aesthetic: An Analysis of Games in the Ludic Pedagogy of Philippe Gaulier

Abstract

This article analyses how Philippe Gaulier's use of play in performer training produces a particular type of ludic performance: a paidic aesthetic. Based on Roger Caillois' play theory, specifically the dialectical relation between the paidic (pleasurable play) and ludus (rule-bound, complex play), the analysis identifies how play forms (games) are intrinsic to Gaulier's pedagogy and the type of performance this produces. The author argues for an autotelic function of play forms, how these produce a ludic dialectic between paidia and ludus in order to demonstrate the function of games in Gaulier's performer training. Focusing on the production of pleasure infused play and the function of failure in training for clown, the aim of this article is to demonstrate how play theory can tease out the different components of ways of playing in order to develop understanding of the complexity and potential of ludic approaches to performer training