The suspension of disbelief is often an essential element in creating an act of magic. It is in the contract between the performer and the audience that they are going to believe what they see in order to enjoy the show. But what happens when you break this contract? What happens when you allow the audience to experience the illusion, but also see the apparatus that operates it? In this 4D class, students will use video, performance, sound and other strategies to create time-based art exploring and stretching various techniques of the suspension of disbelief. The course familiarizes students with examples from fine art, theatre and pop culture that break the 4th wall, such as William Shakespeare, Aukje Dekker, Ira Eduardovna, Lars von Trier,Elaine Sturtevant, Keren Cytter and Vito Acconci.

This class aims to explore the rich interactions that arise from the integration of multimedia (video, sound, film, etc.) with performance as well as performance techniques incorporated into video and sound works. The class will focus on how media can expand the narrative and visual potential of performance and vice-versa, and will include technical instruction on video and sound editing, scripting methodologies, and logistical planning. Students will also learn historical aspects of Performance and Multimedia, as well as related forms such as the circus, opera, and cabaret. Students will take an in depth look at the work of seminal artists who have made defining contributions to the field such as Merce Cunningham, John Cage, Laurie Anderson, The Wooster Group, Gob Squad, William Kentridge, Liz Magic Laser, Kalup Linzy and many others.