Actionism

Actionism is the English version of the general German term for performance art, specifically used for Vienna-based group Wiener Aktionismus founded in 1962 whose actions were deliberately shocking, often including self-torture

Related terms and concepts
Selected artists in the Collection
Selected artworks in the Collection

Arnulf Rainer
*Untitled (Face Farce)* (1971)
Tate

© Arnulf Rainer

The principal members of the group were Günter Brus, Hermann Nitsch and Rudolf Schwarzkogler. Their ‘actions’ were intended to highlight the endemic violence of humanity and were deliberately shocking, including self-torture, and quasi-religious ceremonies using the blood and entrails of animals. Nitsch gave his ceremonies the general title of Orgies-Mysteries Theatre. A less violent but no less anguished Vienna action artist of the time was Arnulf Rainer.

In America Dennis Oppenheim, and in Britain Stuart Brisley, performed actions in a spirit that can be related to Wiener Aktionismus.

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Performance art

Artworks that are created through actions performed by the artist or other participants, which may be live or recorded, spontaneous or scripted
Body art

Body art is art in which the body, often that of the artist, is the principal medium and focus
Avant-garde

As applied to art, avant-garde means art that is innovatory, introducing or exploring new forms or subject matter
Happening

Happenings were theatrical events created by artists in the late 1950s and early 1960s