Performative mimesis: immediacy in action or the action of mediation?

Abstract

This article discusses the notion of a performative mimesis, taking as its starting point considerations by Michael Fried and Luiz Fernando Ramos who coined the term for the Brazilian context. It develops a reflection on the semantic and performa-tive dimensions in contemporary theatrical performances and disallows conceptions that propose a non-referential performa-tivity, but also critizes Fried’s anti-theatrical position. Finally, it argues that performative mimesis constitutes an action of mediation between artistic singularity and social context, within the structure of the theatrical fenomenon. Keywords: Mediation. Performativity. Autonomy of Art.