Abstract

ARAIZA HERNANDEZ, Elizabeth. "¡The Isn't Theater! ... And, the Indigenous Aren't Like That". Notes on Relativism in the Interpretation of the Performing Arts. Relac. Estud. hist. soc. [online]. 2009, vol.30, n.120, pp.99-137. ISSN 2448-7554.

From the perspective of indigenous theater, this essay explores the reasons why relativism has not achieved absolute power, despite its position as the dominant ideology of modern times, by reviewing the arguments that have served to counterbalance the weight of the influence of relativism on interpretations of theater and art. What it seeks is to motivate people to reflect, instead of presenting conclusive answers, through the analysis of a few relevant passages from the history of contemporary indigenous theater, the categories that both scholars and common folk have used to designate it, and the criteria that have been used to evaluate it. The article evokes significant experiences from universal theater to demonstrate how the definition or appraisals of theater are intrinsic to one's conception of the Other.

Keywords : relativism; theatricality; indigenous; ritual; universalism.

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