The pride of body artists: between diseases of the ideal, techne and poiesis

Abstract

Translation by Rodrigo Charafeddine Bulamah. Artists of the body, such as singers, mimes, contortionists, imitators, etc. are populations that have been little studied by the social sciences. Here, we analyze the ways in which these professionals experience the fact that they have developed extraordinary, specific physical abilities. The interviews conducted with these body artists (N = 21) emphasize this "emic" focus and allow us to glimpse their professional pride. The content analysis emphasizes that being successful, innovative and recognized by their peers, i.e. becoming famous, represents the facets of this artistic self-consciousness. The bodies modified and refined over years of work become the cornerstone of relationships with the world, with others and with themselves.