Janez Jansa®: Proximity as a dramaturgical operation, in three parts

Abstract

This article discusses the exhibition ‘Janez Janša®’, which was launched at the Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova (+MSUM) in Ljubljana in October 2017. The exhibition presents a wide selection of art works and projects that have been produced by Janez Janša, Janez Janša and Janez Janša in these last ten years since their name change, which, as it is argued, critically underpin the close proximity between life, work and art that is at the core of today’s neoliberal ideology. This article distinguishes and analyses three dramaturgical operations of proximity between different domains of life, work and art through the discussion of selected exhibits. As it is shown, the dramaturgical logic of proximity at work potentially triggers a physical impact of intimacy, pleasure and disorientation among the visitors to the exhibition. Finally, this article aims to contribute a(nother) political layer to the critical discussion of proximity, which is usually conflated with notions of immersion, participation and interaction in contemporary performance discourse and practice.