Research group 2: Destructive dynamics

Cultural junctures can be described by either taking into consideration what they create and reveal or what they destroy and obscure. So far, performance theory has shown the productive aspects of transformation by emphasizing the creative thrust of performative processes and events. The aim of this research group is to investigate whether and to what extent destructive dynamics, such as the destabilization and destruction of orders, subjects, and bodies, can be grasped by concepts of performance. We plan to analyze destructive dynamics in exemplary historical and contemporary processes of change and illuminate the specific conditions for destruction and production. The methodological challenge is to view destruction not merely as a creative function. Our objective contributes to the key questions posed by the SFB, especially with regard to the critical insights and potential of concepts of performance for describing and analyzing cultural change. In the social sciences, philosophy, theatre studies, and literature such destructive dynamics have been studied from the perspective of attacks on bodily or social integrity, of the dissolution of orders, or of the failure of subject constitutions. The work of this research group focuses on the differences between destruction and production in each specific context. We are proceeding from the assumption that the concept of destruction merely serves as a generic term for more specific gradations of destructive dynamics to be worked out in the future. These gradations will allow us to analyze different destructive forms, ranging from subliminal to open destruction. Our research has already shown that the reassessment of destructive dimensions raises questions that affect the general concepts of performance proposed by the SFB, making their modification necessary. These concepts describe events and processes as largely productive in that they maintain order and constitute reality. It is possible that existing concepts also prioritize the productive side of the process when applied to destruction. Our research aims to show whether and to what degree prevalent concepts of performance need to be expanded in order to accommodate this destructive dimension. It remains to be seen whether this focus on the destructive dimension of transformation might limit the scope of existing concepts of performance.

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