Performance Studies international (PSi) Artistic Research Working Group 2026
In 2026 the Artistic Research Working Group plans to have three gatherings, and we invite past, present and future members of PSi and the working group to join us at one, two or all of these sessions.
2026 GATHERINGS
Gathering #1 will be an open planning meeting online and will take place 13 May 2026
Gathering #2 will be fully in-person as part of PSi#31 in Jakarta https://www.psi-web.org/psi-conference-31/which will take place 15-18 July 2026 at Universitas Kristen Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Gathering #3 will be fully virtual and take place online on two days to facilitate the participation from different time zones, on 14 and 15 October 2026.
PSi #31 is organised in alignment with the annual conference of CIS (Critical Island Studies Consortium). The joint Call for Proposals states
The archipelago is not only a geophysical, geographical, topographical, or geopolitical formation; in the conception of theorist Edouard Glissant, it is, more importantly, a figure of lateral relation … Across the many islands of the archipelagos of the world, interdependence and difference coexist—and, in this way, they carry the energy that is necessary for the whole globe, our whole world. (Glissant and Obrist 2021: 19)
If we pursue this line of thought, it is possible to conceive of artist-researchers as individual islands, each with their own way of working, yet forming an archipelago when engaging with peers. Their collaboration can be seen as a form of creolisation and mixture, creating archipelagic thought. This allows each individual to maintain their own practice while the product of their interaction has its own character and integrity.
The planning meeting in May (Gathering #1) will be an opportunity to discuss the future of the WG, the specifics of the upcoming gatherings, and expressions of interest to become one of the WG convenors.
At the in-person gathering at the conference and the online gathering in the Fall (Gatherings # 2 & 3), we will continue exploring our established Perform & Respond working method and develop it further to include Reflect as a third dimension. These two gatherings are independent, but both follow a similar procedure.
· Each participant is invited to offer a current preoccupation: a problem, a dilemma, a puzzle, a conundrum, a ‘pickle,' a Gordian knot – a question that they are exploring through their Artistic Research practice.
· These preoccupations will then be ‘swapped,’ with each participant taking on another participant’s offering to be reframed, rearticulated and performed through their own mode(s) of practice.
· Each participant is then invited to reflect upon the reframing and response of their own problem or question, which they have witnessed at the gathering.
IMPORTANT DATES
Open planning meeting 13 May:
· Please confirm your wish to participate no later than 10 May. You will then be sent a zoom invitation.
In-person meeting in Jakarta 15-18 July:
· 15 April 2026: submission of 250 – 300 word description of a current Artistic Research preoccupation
· 15 May 2026: redistribution of submitted preoccupations by ARWG convenors
· 15-18 July 2026: sharing in Jakarta of reframed preoccupations and reflections on those reframings
On-line Gathering 14-15 October:
· 15 August 2026: submission of 250 – 300 word description of a current Artistic Research preoccupation
· 1 September 2026: redistribution of submitted preoccupations by ARWG convenors
· 14-15 October 2026: online sharing of reframed preoccupations and reflections on those reframings
All expressions of interest and submissions of preoccupations should be sent to arwgpsi@gmail.com.
Please note:
· Participation in the open planning meeting on May 13 requires PSi membership
· Participation in the July 15-18 gathering requires current membership in PSi and conference registration
· Participation in the October 14-15 gathering requires PSi membership.
Annette Arlander / Bruce Barton / Johanna Householder
PSi Artistic Working Group Convenors
