Has Liking Art become “Performative”?

Recently, one of my colleagues mentioned a discussion in her class. It was about how most people have started going to art galleries in a “performative” way, which led her to remark that because of this judgement, even those who genuinely appreciate art would not be able to go without escaping the “performative” allegations.

This made me reassess the direction of this article, earlier being on how authentic self-expression has been curbed because of the internet and how everything seems to be performative these days, including art.

And it got me thinking, has everything really become performative these days, or have we gotten too comfortable in judging others on the internet?

What Does “Performative” Mean Today

Let’s start off with what being performative entails. For all that it means, it has socially come to evoke a certain image of a person with wired earphones, a matcha latte and a tote bag.

But why is matcha, of all drinks, bearing the brunt of the performative epidemic? Because, as we say, “it’s giving health conscious, diva!”. The tote bag is very mindful, very demure towards the environment, and wired earphones make an anti-consumerism statement.

And together, it becomes a perfectly curated aesthetic to appeal to a particular gaze. So “performative” has come to mean a thoughtful curation of what you think might resonate with people online.

"Maybe what we call ‘performative’ today is just the latest version of what humans have always done: curate their lives for meaning and connection."

And maybe what we call “performative” today is just the latest version of what humans have always done: curate their lives for meaning and connection.

Curation as Identity

Curation of all kinds has been central to human identity. Curation is the “gather” to the hunter gatherers. Curation is what allowed humanity to preserve so much of what it is through ancient artefacts and texts.

It’s what carried artists’ works forward in time and what gave collectors aristocratic influence during the Renaissance. At its core, curation is like saying “I exist”. And unlike earlier, where curation was considered a right only of the rich, now everyone gets to say “I exist”.

Art in India Today

The internet and social media have made information and aesthetics more accessible. Art, too, has been able to reach a wider audience.

In India, this shift is visible through NGMA walks, wearing Jaipuri prints and Instagram reels of gallery visits. People can now engage with their favourite art pieces and artists by wearing them as merch, buying prints, stickers and even tote bags with their reference.

Apart from appreciation, these everyday references end up becoming some of the best conversation starters with like-minded strangers.

"Even the ones going to galleries for their Instagram posts rarely leave without a piece of the beauty and thought that art provokes."

Call it “performative”, but art is meant to be appreciated and even the ones going to the galleries for their Instagram posts rarely leave without a piece of the beauty and thought that art provokes.

Curation is meant to be performative

Curation of all kinds is inherently performative, because human beings are social animals. Everything we do or engage with cannot escape the scrutiny of our own gaze mimicking societal norms.The hunter with the biggest collection of weapons was more admired by the tribe. Today, the person with the most views and likes will get the maximum brand collabs and the money that comes with it. If a Van Gogh T-shirt or a museum selfie brings that in, then so be it. Everything we do has a social reward, and unconsciously we are all wired to chase it.

Performativity and Identity Formation

But here is what is interesting: performativity isn’t about external validation, it’s a part of identity formation. Whether through art, fashion or hobbies, it allows individuals to figure out who they are, while also finding communities that share their interests.

That is why we have started seeing so many posts with people engaging with community-based activities around hobbies, fandoms and workshops. It’s not just another “performative” post, but an openness to sharing one’s experiences with the community at large.

Art as Individuality and Belonging

At the end, it all comes down to how much fun we are having, even when we are being performative. It’s not being performative that’s draining, it’s the imaginary (and sometimes real) judgment that comes with it.

It’s constantly assessing the response of your possible audience to your curation that is harmful, not the curation itself. We are all curators; some curate to express themselves, others curate to build influence, and there is no right or wrong in either.

"Beyond the labels, art has always been a bridge between the individual and the community."

Beyond the labels, art has always been a bridge between the individual and the community. For the individual, it serves as a tool of self-reflection and expression. For the community, it becomes a shared language, passing messages, ideas and stories about people and civilisations that no longer exist.

The galleries, workshops and other curations may seem performative, but they are just an individual’s attempt at belonging, and as a community we should be nothing but grateful for it.