Schechner and the Vague Line Between Life and Performance

The Schechner article was absolutely fascinating to me mostly because of its focus on how performances and performance studies take absolutely every aspect of life into account. It isn't about stripping away the influences, it's about shaping them. Just as it isn't about avoiding bias, but using it effectively. And most of all, it isn't about getting as far away from reality and the truth of human existence, but really aligning with humanity and the way lives are actually lived.

I have a little experience with performance art and performance studies, having taken a "Devised Performance" class last fall, and it has always really struck me how even the most distant connections or the most minute details of life can't have the greatest influence both on how art is created and how it is perceived. However, Schechner made me dig a little deeper, thinking about how personally create art and perceive art. Having gone through the process of creating art, I can recall what tiny little thoughts were created into memorable performance pieces. Having watched that process in others, and seeing the final results, I can clearly recall what small connections I made with their performances. It was as if I was somehow making the performance my own. My reactions were just another performance in response to the actions of those whom I was observing. All of this then leads me to wonder just where is the line between simple existence and performance? Are we constantly performing, doing small things and reacting to tiny details and creating performances based on our environment and our audience?

I'm also taking an introductory Spanish Lit class this semester and we started out the semester with a very short piece entitled "Borges y Yo" by Jorge Luis Borges* which discusses the different aspects of personality we all possess. I read both Schechner and Borges within a short period of time so it's no surprise that I made connections, but Borges also talks of performance, even going so far as to split himself into two distinct existences, the "I" and the "other." Borges specifically refers to the "other" as an actor, a performer. Does that mean that his quieter, more reserved side (the "I") isn't also some form of a performer? And isn't writing and publishing a piece detailing his personal dichotomy also a form of performance? He is presenting something and it has an audience... does that make it performance?

I guess where I'm struggling, and where I've struggled for quite some time now, is the ultimate question of what really makes a performance. Again, where is that line? When am I simply existing as Heather and when am I changing and shifting to become someone else, perhaps in an academic setting or a professional role? I'm really eager to continue my search for some answers, especially since, as Schechner explained, performance and identity have such a reciprocal relationship.

*I've included a link to a website with both the original Spanish version and an English translation.