Performance Art: From Global Icons to Mexico’s Radical Voices

Performance art challenges what we consider theatre or visual art. Rather than rehearsed plays or static paintings, it presents live actions, often blurring the line between artist and audience. Let’s explore some of its key pioneers—internationally and in Mexico—and discover where you can still witness its power today.

1 · Global Pioneers

Marina Abramović is often called the “grandmother” of performance art. Her durational works—sitting silently opposite museum visitors for hours, or inviting people to point weapons at her—test endurance and intimacy. Joseph Beuys used live actions (like living with a coyote) to explore social change. Carolee Schneemann challenged taboos by using her body to question gender and sexuality. These artists pushed boundaries and influenced subsequent generations.

2 · Mexico’s Own Voices

Mexico has produced some of performance art’s most compelling figures. Guillermo Gómez‑Peña co‑founded the collective La Pocha Nostra, blending border politics, bilingual storytelling and audience participation. Jesusa Rodríguez, known for her feminist cabaret and reinterpretations of historical figures, has earned a MacArthur “Genius Grant.” Teresa Margolles and Lorena Wolffer create performances that confront violence and gender issues, inviting audiences to witness, rather than hide, uncomfortable truths.

3 · Where to Experience Performance Art

Though performance art often appears unannounced in public spaces, some venues regularly showcase it:

• Museo Diego Rivera Anahuacalli – This Mexico City museum has hosted site‑specific performance pieces alongside its collection of pre‑Hispanic art.
• Ex Teresa Arte Actual – Located in a former convent near the Centro Histórico, this museum devotes its program to performance, installation and sound art.
• Jardin Rouge Festival- Based in Mexico, Amsterdam & Paris it is an international, multidisciplinary arts festival that aims to create a space for freedom and creation. 
• Teatro Lucido- A space where performance and theater converge in ritual, magical realism and psycho-magic.
• Museo Universitario del Chopo and Casa del Lago – Both run regular performance and experimental theatre programs.

4 · Why It Matters

Performance art invites us to question our daily rituals and the structures that shape them. It’s immediate, often unrepeatable, and reminds us that art isn’t confined to frames or stages. By watching—and sometimes participating—we become part of a live, collective moment.

Espíritu

Much like performance art, our huaraches emphasise presence: being aware of the ground beneath you and the craft that carries you. If you’re planning to attend a festival at the Anahuacalli or a live piece at Teatro Lucido, a pair of breathable, hand‑woven sandals lets you stand, move and connect without distraction. Explore our collection here and step lightly into your next performance experience.