Description:
Explores the possibility of an alternative experience of time, one that is closer to the pure duration described by philosopher Henri Bergson. Contributes to contemporary performance analysis, philosophy and Bergson studies and examines aspects of immersive and participatory performance, ritual and online performance. 9 b&w illus.
Brief description: James Layton is a lecturer in performance at the University of the West of Scotland.
Review Quotes:
'This volume invites diverse disciplines to engage with Bergson's conceptions of pure duration and memory, presenting a manifesto for durational performance's potential to challenge contemporary society's prevailing experience of time... One of the most effective techniques Layton employs is placing Bergson's ideas in historical context while simultaneously relating them to contemporary cultural phenomena. This dual perspective allows readers to appreciate the enduring relevance of Bergson's thought while simultaneously demonstrating how our contemporary world views ideas of duration, memory, and time...
While researchers will find Layton's work thought-provoking, one of the volume's real strengths lies in its potential as a model for emerging researchers. The author's measured, careful approach to contextualising not only Bergson's concept of durational time but the parallels between Bergson's historical moment and the author's is a masterclass in the weaving together of disparate but fascinating threads. It is also an exceptional work for guiding scholars of other disciplines into conversation not just about Bergson but about audience response in general. Game studies, anthropology, sociology, literature, and disciplines intersecting with the concept of storytelling and time will find his work provocatory, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in performance theory, philosophy, or the intersection of art and society. The book's meticulous analysis and accessible writing style make it a compelling read for a wide variety of levels, offering practical and theoretical windows into how performance can reshape our experience of time in an era of relentless acceleration.'