Exploring the Universe through Katie Paterson’s A place that exists only in moonlight: Performance and Storytelling as Alternative Approaches to Accessing Scientific Discoveries

Abstract

This thesis studies the topic of the outer space as a scientific endeavour through the perspective of artistic fields of performance, storytelling, dramaturgy and visual arts. Based on existing performance research related to cosmic research, this thesis further develops previous theoretical approaches through the method of storytelling and speculative fabulation as observes in Katie Paterson’s A place that exists only in moonlight (2019). As a basis for analysis, this thesis highlights how an individual may become more connected to the universe using the key characteristics of the ambulatory approach of storytelling, speculative fabulation and speculative design (with focus on academic scholars such as Debaise, Wiame, Dunne and Raby). For a dramaturgical perspective, this thesis presents Corrieri’s minor and a major dramaturgy as a basis. Considering these approaches, the text draws analysis of Katie Paterson’s A place that exists only in moonlight, which represents and example of how art and cosmic research may interconnect. Comparing Paterson’s work with Tracey Emin and Yoko Ono, this thesis then illuminates on its performative resonance. Ultimately, this thesis aims to show how alternative approaches could be used in order to actively create connections with the outer space and the present cosmic research.