Live art is one of the most controversial and hotly discussed areas of creative practice to emerge in the second half of the 20th century. No longer at the margins of cultural production and recognition, performance is now a common occurrence in major art institutions.

Here, leading artists and thinkers assess the relevance of live art and its impact within the visual arts and the broader cultural sphere. Hugo Glendinning’s stunning color photographs of performance events are combined with essays examining the political, philosophical, and cultural resonances of the work of a diverse range of live artists, both historical and contemporary Accessible, critically astute, and expansive, Live is an indispensable resource.