Abstract

This paper focuses on the production of publics by performance art that is located outside of institutional (gallery/museum) settings. The two case studies presented provoke considerations of the roles of participatory performance art in relation to social and cultural sustainability. Introducing Miriam Simun’s The Lady Cheese Shop and Atom Cianfarani’s CONSUME LOVE, I argue for their contribution toward a democratic public sphere through affective engagement of participants. These are the first two projects I have curated through the new creative platform le/the SensoriuM (www.lesensorium.com). Located in Montréal, le/the SensoriuM presents an ongoing series of performance art events, with the goal of generating discussion through and about food. This article is the first piece of critical writing to address either The Lady Cheese Shop or CONSUME LOVE, although each was performed in New York before its iteration through le/the SensoriuM.