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Towards a Postulation of the "Theater of Eroticism" (The Fluidity Principle) in Contemporary Performance
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Theater and Film Studies
Abstract
Theater, as a vibrant and continually developing art form, evolves to reflect the complex changes of human existence, moving past conventional narratives and formats. A notable modern development is the emergence of the "Theater of Eroticism," which embraces the "Fluidity Principle." This approach transcends simple depictions of sex, instead exploring eroticism as a nuanced inquiry into desire, emotional bonds, and the workings of the human psyche. Unlike pornography or explicit sexual display, this theatrical genre provides a space for introspection and understanding, inviting audiences to confront their deepest desires, fantasies, and internal struggles with openness. It encourages a unique blend of reality and imagination, prioritizing emotional satisfaction and psychological aspects of sexuality over just physical acts. Within this safe setting, the delicate intricacies of romance, love, and ambiguous relationships can be explored with honesty and poetic subtlety. Erotic expression here goes beyond the purely corporeal, addressing the politics of desire and its impact on identity, power dynamics, and emotional resilience. The Theater of Eroticism functions not merely as a form of artistic expression but also as an essential dialogue within performance art, expanding theatrical boundaries and offering fresh perspectives on the sophisticated and layered nature of erotic desire in contemporary times.
Keywords
Theater of Eroticism, Fluidity Principle, Desire, Intimacy, Performance Art
References
[1] Artaud, A. (1993). "The theater and its double" (M. C. Richards, Trans.). Grove Press. (Original work published 1938)
[2] Bhabha, H. K. (1994). "The location of culture". Routledge.
[3] Brecht, B. (1964). "Brecht on theatre: The development of an aesthetic" (J. Willett, Ed. & Trans.). Hill and Wang.
[4] Butler, J. (1990). "Gender trouble: Feminism and the subversion of identity". Routledge.
[5] Deleuze, G., & Guattari, F. (1987). "A thousand plateaus: Capitalism and schizophrenia" (B. Massumi, Trans.). University of Minnesota Press.
[6] Foucault, M. (1978). "The history of sexuality, volume 1: An introduction" (R. Hurley, Trans.). Vintage. (Originally published 1976)
[7] Grotowski, J. (1968). "Towards a poor theatre" (J. Fox, Trans.). Methuen.
[8] Ihunwo, O. (2025). Innovations in acting pedagogy: Exploring chorale acting in the experimental production "Scoops of Situationship: Lamentations from Za Oda Room". "ISRG Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences", "3"(1).
[9] Laing, R. D. (1960). "The divided self: An existential study in sanity and madness". Tavistock.
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[11] Sedgwick, E. K. (1990). "Epistemology of the closet". University of California Press.
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How to cite this paper
@article{1710310,
author = {Kelvin Melvin Sampson},
title = {Towards a Postulation of the "Theater of Eroticism" (The Fluidity Principle) in Contemporary Performance},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2025},
volume = {9},
number = {2},
pages = {913-920},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1710310.pdf},
abstract = {Theater, as a vibrant and continually developing art form, evolves to reflect the complex changes of human existence, moving past conventional narratives and formats. A notable modern development is the emergence of the "Theater of Eroticism," which embraces the "Fluidity Principle." This approach transcends simple depictions of sex, instead exploring eroticism as a nuanced inquiry into desire, emotional bonds, and the workings of the human psyche. Unlike pornography or explicit sexual display, this theatrical genre provides a space for introspection and understanding, inviting audiences to confront their deepest desires, fantasies, and internal struggles with openness. It encourages a unique blend of reality and imagination, prioritizing emotional satisfaction and psychological aspects of sexuality over just physical acts. Within this safe setting, the delicate intricacies of romance, love, and ambiguous relationships can be explored with honesty and poetic subtlety. Erotic expression here goes beyond the purely corporeal, addressing the politics of desire and its impact on identity, power dynamics, and emotional resilience. The Theater of Eroticism functions not merely as a form of artistic expression but also as an essential dialogue within performance art, expanding theatrical boundaries and offering fresh perspectives on the sophisticated and layered nature of erotic desire in contemporary times.},
keywords = {Theater of Eroticism, Fluidity Principle, Desire, Intimacy, Performance Art},
month = {August},
}