The Anatomy of Art

The Anatomy of Art is a field guide for artists working in dance, theatre and performance. Twelve interrelated drivers of the creative process – including Time, Space, Relationship, Meaning, and Context & Culture – form a working map for inquiry. Through more than 1,000 questions, scores and frameworks, the book activates rehearsal, teaching and performance, keeping choice alive in the body. The book draws on three decades of devised dance and theatre and supports creative work of any scale that calls for bravery, personal vision and rigorous inquiry. It can be opened anywhere and used for a few minutes in the studio or throughout the life of a project. A preface by Marisa Tomei and short offerings from artists across three generations – including Bebe Miller, Brenda Dixon Gottschild, Deborah Hay, Emanuel Gat, and others – add pressure, contrast and lived intelligence.