A Performative Theory

Performative Theory, also known as the Performative turn or performative paradigm, is an approach within the humanities and social sciences that emphasizes the performative nature of language, discourse, and social practices. It goes beyond merely describing or analyzing phenomena, instead recognizing that theory itself can actively shape and produce reality.

At its core, Performative Theory challenges the traditional view of language as a neutral medium for conveying information about the world. Instead, it posits that language is performative — it doesn’t simply reflect reality but actively participates in constructing it. The performative power of language lies in its ability to not only represent but also create social realities, identities, and power dynamics.

The origins of performative theory can be traced back to several influential thinkers. One of the key figures in this regard is the philosopher J.L. Austin. In his How to Do Things with Words (1962), Austin introduced the concept of speech acts. He argued that utterances not only convey meaning but also have the power to perform actions and bring about changes in the world. For example, when a judge says, “I pronounce you guilty,” the utterance itself constitutes an action and has real consequences.

Building upon Austin’s ideas, the Judith Butler expanded the notion of performativity in her groundbreaking work on gender and identity. In Gender Trouble (1990), Butler argued that gender is not a fixed biological essence but a performative effect of reiterated social actions and speech acts. According to Butler, gender is produced through the repeated performance of gender norms and expectations, rather than being inherent or natural.

In addition to Austin and Butler, other theorists have contributed to the development of performative theory. Michel Foucault’s concept of “discursive practices” emphasizes the role of language in shaping knowledge, power, and subjectivity. Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of social fields and habitus also incorporates performative elements by highlighting how language and symbolic practices contribute to the reproduction of social structures.

Using generative AI tools to co-author a theory of the poetics of AI art can be seen as performative in the context of performative theory. Performative theory posits that language and discourse not only describe or represent reality but actively shape and produce it. In this case, by employing generative AI tools to co-author a theory, I am actively engaging in a performative act that enacts the subject matter I am theorizing about.

Active construction of reality: The act of co-authoring a theory of the poetics of AI art using generative AI tools demonstrates the performative nature of language and theory. Instead of passively observing or analyzing AI art, I am actively participating in its creation and shaping the discourse around it. The generative AI tools become a medium through which I perform and engage with the subject matter.

Blurring authorship boundaries: The use of generative AI tools challenges traditional notions of authorship and expertise. By collaborating with AI, I am disrupting the idea of a singular authoritative author and instead embracing a collaborative, co-authored approach. This challenges established power dynamics and opens up new possibilities for knowledge production and creative expression.

Performing the poetics of AI art: Generative AI tools themselves embody the poetics of AI art. They create, manipulate, and transform data to generate new artistic expressions. By employing these tools in the process of co-authoring a theory, I am not only describing or analyzing the poetics of AI art but actively participating in its practice. The act of using AI tools to generate content mirrors the very essence of the subject matter I am theorizing about.

Reflexivity and self-reflection: The use of generative AI tools for co-authoring theory creates a reflexive loop between theory and practice. As I generate content and engage with the AI tools, I constantly reflect on the implications of my thoughts and actions, the creative process, and the theoretical framework I am developing. This reflexivity enhances the performative nature of the endeavor, as theory and practice are intertwined and continually influencing each other.

By using generative AI tools to co-author a theory of the poetics of AI art, I actively embody the principles of performative theory. The act itself becomes a performative act that goes beyond mere description or analysis, actively shaping and participating in the subject matter being theorized. It blurs authorship boundaries, performs the poetics of AI art, and fosters reflexivity, thus exemplifying the performative nature of language, theory, and artistic practice.

Theorizing AI…with AI! was originally published in Sound & Design on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.