This collection of short, critical writings on contemporary art, performance and photography analyzes a wide range of global practitioners, from emerging to established artists. The result is a well-informed, accessibly written survey of significant developments in contemporary art and culture over the past two decades. Among the artists discussed are Francis Alys, Laurie Anderson, Chris Burden, William Eggleston, Cindy Sherman and Andy Warhol. The Performing Observer examines an important series of interconnected contemporary art practices, layering writings on performance-based work, interdisciplinary experiments and photography. It positions performance within a larger context and delivers scholarly and critical material in an accessible maner.