By Caitlin Hoyng
Provocation theory works well to explain most sources of upset with sexuality and gender in mainstream and mainstream-subculture as well as with art, especially performance art.
I developed the theory in my undergraduate thesis, Night Sweats as Pillow Talk.
It functions as affect theory. There are 4 principles which affect the extent to which “provocation” as an emotion is felt on the viewer’s part, all of which begin with an S, particularly if the themes of art, gender, and sexuality are present.
Scale: Image spreads beyond intended audience (to an unanticipated audience, rather), beyond initial audience, or to the “general public.”
Similarity vs. subversion: The image presented by the “performer” is similar to a prototype on the viewer’s end while subverting the expectation.
Self-knowing: The “performer” knows why they did something, and the viewer can only guess as to why.
As an example, the performance artist Ocana yelled, “Your husband’s a cocksucker!” in the street to women as performance art. He was speaking to unknown women about fake, unusual, hot-blooded (maybe) gossip, knowing he was doing it because he was gay (Schwules Museum 2022).
In some ways, I consider myself to be a provocation artist. This would be a mode of artistry in which the artwork is designed to in some way stick out strangely to or interact strangely with the viewer. But that’s an occasional aim, provocation art on my part. More often, I prefer the allusion of a spiderweb to my artwork; spiderweb art, another theory for another time.
In general, the provocation artist seeks to break the social contract in some way.
The social contract, of course, being that which we are expected to behave to, lest psychology or the evil eye or other people’s gazes deem it inappropriate.
So the provocation artist breaks Social Contract, yes. Like deeming a Concept worthy of Capitalization. Yes. This allows for clarity but Breaks the Social Contract.
All forms of art which require PATIENCE to appreciate are modes of provocation art. Allow this statement to mean something personal to you.
The Babalon Workings; 