Page 19 - AC-2-2

Arts & Communication A perspective on art-based and academic research

contrast, art-based research places the art itself at its core. this experience 22 years after the production’s opening,
According to Professor Robin Nelson, an expert in theater I authored an academic article titled My Nora in Wu
and intermedial performance, a submission in practice as Xiaojiang’s A Doll’s House (1998): Esthetic Transmission
research can be “comprised of multiple modes of potential and Political Context. 4
evidence reflecting a multi-mode research inquiry.” 2(p40) My studies and research at the Centre for Ibsen studies
In theater research, this could include a performance, enabled my transition from being a performer and theater
a documented process, a reflection on the conceptual practitioner with a wealth of unconscious knowledge
framework of the performance, or other formats. In other embodied in my work to becoming an artist with a higher
words, the reflection can be presented in multiple ways, degree of conscious knowledge of contextualization, critical
with the practice remaining at the heart of the methodology thinking, and performing arts methods, particularly
in an art-based research project. 2(p40) concerning Henrik Ibsen’s works. It also made me into an
Academic research on theater and performance would active user of the unique database IbsenStage. IbsenStage
be non-existent without live performing arts. I argue that is an event-based database that gathers metadata on
performing artists, when given the opportunity to reflect performances of Henrik Ibsen’s plays worldwide.
and contextualize their artistic work through research As an experienced practitioner entering the academic
through artistic practices, can develop valuable new art world, I began to wonder about the difference between
and insights. Robin Nelson claims in his book Practice as academic research and art-based research. I embarked
Research in the Arts (and Beyond) that it is possible to be on an exploration to analyze how these two approaches
both a practitioner and to undertake a research inquiry connect and converse. I drew from my own research on
through practice. 2(p44) I refer to the latter approach of Henrik Ibsen and my research on my practice as a performer
finding answers as art-based research. Art itself facilitates as an example. It is important to note that the progress,
academic research on art and vice versa. However, I find constraints, and concerns about art-based research can
the dialog between the two fields to be limited. One of vary from one country to another. As a Norwegian, my
the main differences is that academic research is often perspective is shaped by my background and experiences
“thinking in print,” 3(p9) whereas art-based research involves rooted in Norway, and therefore, my arguments primarily
thinking in and through art. reflect my own experience.
My reflections from the field initially aimed to explore
the difference between academic and art-based research. 3. Searching for new answers
However, the conclusion is that there are more aspects that Research is fueled by curiosity and our desire to
unite than divide the two. Dialog and cooperation between understand, develop, and change. It involves the pursuit
the two fields are already resulting in new perspectives on of information, evaluation, and the clear and accurate
both art-based and academic research. reporting of findings. As a researcher, one evaluates
3(3)
a hypothesis or an interpretive framework, generating
2. My viewpoint questions for further inquiries.
I am what Robin Nelson refers to as a “practitioner- From my perspective as a theater practitioner, I see
researcher.” 2(p37-58) My experience primarily stems from acting as a form of research. However, “what artists do”
the Norwegian context, although I have also toured cannot automatically be called research. 5(p54) The art is not
internationally. After almost 40 years of experience as turned into “real” research before artists begin to reflect
an actress, playwright, and artistic director, I discovered and unwrap their art, conveying their insights in a form
academic theories and methods to reflect on my own comparable to scientific research. In this article, the term
artistic work as a student and guest researcher at the “art-based research” refers to artistic research where artists
Centre for Ibsen Studies at the University of Oslo in reflect on their own art at the level of a Ph.D. For artists
Norway. The Centre for Ibsen Studies recently celebrated to do art-based research at a Ph.D level, the research and
its 30 anniversary and stands as a significant academic experimental development must fulfill specific demands.
th
institution promoting research and fostering knowledge To quote UNESCO’s definition from 2002: “Research
about Henrik Ibsen, his literary legacy, and his contributions and experimental development (R&D) comprise creative
to Norwegian and international theater. and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of
knowledge, including knowledge of humankind, culture,
2.1. An awakening actor
and society, and to devise new applications of available
In 1998, 2001, and 2006, I played Nora in A Doll’s House knowledge.” The research must be aimed at new findings and
6
at the China National Theater in Beijing. Reflecting on be creative, systematic, and uncertain about the outcome,

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2024) 2 doi: 10.36922/ac.1807