mfa in performance & Interactive media arts

History & Influences of PIMA

In 1990s and early aughts groups such as Magnetic Laboratorium, WaxFactory, The South Wing (now Alasur Teatro), Big Art Group, The Builders’ Association, and Blacklips brought together liveness, neuro- and gender diversity, sexuality, collective co-authorship, historical and indigenous performance forms, and emerging technology in novel admixture. From this foment, PIMA emerged.

Over the last two decades, this new avant-garde has matured, and has defined itself as a lineage distinct from the radicalisms of the 1960s, 70s & 80s. PIMA has matured along with it, while continuing to investigate the connections between emergent trends in performance practice and rich historical forms.

Live performance in general has been re-invigorated as the recent pandemic subsides, and an increasing number of artists seek to explore modalities of performance that transcend the disciplinary boundaries of theater, dance, and music. Performance art has taken on a new relevance and expanded its boundaries, and rapidly changing technology has opened spaces for both innovation and critique.

The hegemony of the solo artist-genius has ebbed, and a renewed interest in collectivism and alternative social and collaborative structures swells.

In this exciting moment of maturation of interdisciplinary performance practices, collaboration, and technology PIMA stands as a unique locus of hands-on research.