Being or Performing? An Investigation into Eating in the Blurring of Art and Life / Ting-Ning Wen (2021)

This thesis investigates the details of everyday living with theatrical research and studio practices, questioning if our everyday is essentially a piece of artwork and narrow the research field focusing on everyday eating as its main topic. It begins with the theoretical study of details in everyday living and theatrical structure of Happenings, developing the context of the later presented work. With the discussion of the value of participation in relational works and subjective experience inspired by the study on self-presentation in everyday life, this thesis further outlines its later participatory work. Eventually, a 90-minute durational performance, “C’est La Vie (this is what it is),” presented on 22nd October 2020 and located at both conference rooms and the Lightwell at Trinity Laban, questioning the boundaries between everyday living and live performance. Before this thesis ends, it reviews the presented work again and unfolds more details such as readymade objects and the multi-layer of images. This document complements the presented work with rich theory research, studio methods and online investigation. Instead of proposing new thinking toward our everyday, this document and the presented work hope to suggest its reader an innovative perspective to discover and experience their own everyday life.