The vast area of interdisciplinary and multimedia collaborations that we call 'performance art' has a history that covers over a hundred years, spanning the early actions of the Dada movement, to the engaged performance of the 1970s, and its multifaceted renaissance world-wide today. It is an art that has been located at the crossroads of interdisciplinary dialogues between film, theatre, dance, sculpture, painting, actions and music and is now, 'unquestionably', a part of institutional art programmes, collections and art fairs.

Yet the art world's assimilation of performance art has not always been accompanied by a deep enough understanding of its theoretical, social and political concerns. The questions at its core, regarding showcasing the experiential, opening different kinds of engagement with meaning, transgressing the norm, questioning the art product and activating the spectator need to be fully analysed, today more than ever, so as to prevent performance art from merely becoming the spectacularised face of the current gargantuan art world.

"Rite of Spring" is a performance project presenting La Ribot and Live Art Development Agency, born from discussions held during her residency with the Centre d'Art Contemporain (2007-2009). This project provides a unique opportunity to promote critical understanding of performance art today (its theory, criticism, practice, reception, and funding), through a special programme created specifically for young practitioners, art professionals as well as being accessible to the public. "Rite of Spring" is divided into two sections. The first will present the latest work of La Ribot: a "document-film", "TREINTAYCUATROPIÈCESDISTINGUÉES&ONESTRIPTEASE", produced in 2007 from archival material. This "document-film" offers a new insight into "distinguished pieces", a key project in her work composed of 34 interdisciplinary pieces (danceperformance- theatre) and their potential as documentation. It will be presented in conjunction with different materials about art and dance in Spain: a series of screenings by other artists, several talks, a performance by Juan Dominguez and a lecture by Professor José A. Sanchez.

The second part is dedicated to performance art in the UK. This will feature Live Art Development Agency, London with screenings, lectures and talks. This section will also include a 4-day workshop by Gary Stevens, "A Game of Consequences", to offer artists and visitors a face to face encounter with him, and he will also present his installation "Slow Life". His performance and Joshua Sofaer's will complete this programme.

La Ribot trained as a choreographer in Madrid, and moved to London where she developed her practice further using video and installation. Her practice is at the forefront of the combined arts, mixing elements from dance, theatre and art, and has been presented at Tate Modern, South London Gallery, Theatre de la Ville, Paris, and at other prestigious venues. La Ribot currently lives in Geneva, and teaches a live arts course entitled 'Latin Lovers' with Yan Duyvendak and Josep-Maria Martin in the Geneva University of Art and Design (HEAD).

Live Arts Development Agency, directed by Lois Keidan and Daniel Brine, is the leading development organization for live art in the UK, engaging in curatorial initiatives in partnership with practitioners and art institutions. It devises strategies to increase popular and critical awareness, provides practical information and advice, and offers opportunities for dialogue, debate, research and training.

Curated by Katya García-Antón