What's Welsh for Performance? Database

The What's Welsh for Performance? Beth yw 'Performance' yn Gymraeg? database is an online searchable resource containing as complete a record as is possible of performance art events in Wales from January 1965 to the present day. It went online in the autumn of 2007, with a commitment to continue archiving performance events in Wales into the foreseeable future.

The database's remit covers performance art along with experimental theatre and dance, installation art, sonic art and performance poetry where these works display strong affinities with the aesthetics of performance art. The database records all performance work that has taken place within the geographic borders of Wales, including performances made in Wales by artists from outside of Wales. The intention is to map the formation of an artistic 'field' or 'scene' as the result of artistic, cultural, social and environmental influences from the outside as well as the inside.

Currently containing details of more than 1,800 events, the database combines: a record of dates and venues, artists' accounts, reviews, photographic records, oral histories and an index of other available documentary materials (audio-visual documentation, publications, ephemera, imagery or memory) and their locations. The database is designed to permit online searches across all materials, including the index of other resources. The index points users to existing archives (including artists' own private collections) where material on performance in Wales is currently held.

Collecting data for the Welsh for Performance? database follows three principal approaches:

a) to make the record as COMPLETE as possible the Welsh for Performance? Archive project undertakes extensive ‘field’ research, including interviews with practitioners about their past work and archival research into all available extant material and publications

b) to keep the record as CURRENT as possible the Welsh for Performance? Archive project enters details of all information received about forthcoming performance art events in Wales - for example via e-mail listings such as the 2nd Wednesday Group and standard mailing.

c) to make the database as CORRECT as possible the Welsh for Performance? Archive project attempts to verify and cross-reference all new entries and note additional information as appropriate; misspellings are corrected. The main sources for the content are listed to allow for verification.

Dr Heike Roms, Autumn 2007. mail@performance-wales.org