Introduction : From Performance Research to Performance Ecologies in Contemporary Thailand

Authors

• Pornrat Damrhung
• Lowell Skar

Publication Date

2020

Abstract

This special issue of manusya explores the diverse ways that performance cul tures are embedded in cultural ecologies in Thailand today. This theme emerged from work done using performance research approaches in projects done around Thailand between 2017 and 2019. These projects discovered that perfor mance lives in cultural ecosystems, both producing new knowledge, skills and performances for those involved in them, and revealing how performance cul tures were locally-grounded living assemblages of creativity in diverse Thai communities.1 These results prompted arranging the first English-language conference in Thailand to focus on performance research and to further ex plore the ecological dimensions of its performance cultures. This international conference, “From Performance Research to Cultural Ecologies: Creating Sus tainable Artistic Communities,” was held at Chulalongkorn University on July 19–21, 2019, and included scholars and cultural workers who have done similar work in the Asia Pacific. It marked a shift in focus for our work from perfor mance research to performance within cultural ecosystems.2 Showcasing the value of innovative research through the performing arts helped to show how “ecology” can usefully be applied to performance and cultural activities as a metaphor. It drew a dozen researchers from Thailand and abroad to share their work and insights on how to develop sustainable artistic communities as frag ile, but resilient and durable, cultural ecologies. The conference was the initial academic meeting of Chulalongkorn University’s new “Innovation in Arts and Culture Research Cluster,” which began in late 2018 as the university’s first re search cluster in the humanities. It seeks to produce creative knowledge that translates into empowered and innovative action in our communities and the world. The conference pointed to both a transition and an evolution in our new performing arts research agenda, which will be seen in articles of this special issue of manusya. Central to this transition is the recognition that perfor mance research in Thailand has always bound up with cultural ecosystems. The new agenda views the performance research approaches we previously developed as part of “cultural ecologies,” meaning studies of the mutually de pendent social and cultural environments which affect creating and showing performances. Both types of research continue to depend on transdisciplinary creative work which involves living networks of performing artists, lecturers, students, audiences, venues and cultural organizations in evolving, fruitful partnerships in the communities that sustain them. In the new research initiative, however, we implant the tools, practices and ideas of performance research into urban performance ecologies. In doing so, we seek to develop durable urban performance assemblages that generate performance opportu nities for artists, students, researchers and audiences who are committed both to enriching city neighborhoods around Chulalongkorn University and to col laborating with new international partners.

DOI

10.1163/26659077-02303001

First Page

311

Last Page

327

Recommended Citation

Damrhung, Pornrat and Skar, Lowell (2020) "Introduction : From Performance Research to Performance Ecologies in Contemporary Thailand," Manusya, Journal of Humanities: Vol. 23: No. 3, Article 1.
DOI: 10.1163/26659077-02303001
Available at: https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/manusya/vol23/iss3/1