Cosplay as Performance Art in a Digital World
When considering performance art, cosplay may not immediately come to mind. The word “cosplay” itself is already a simplified version of the term “costume play” and ranked amongst the various forms of performance art. A variety of disciplines are included within that range; varying from theatre to dance or music. The prevailing theme, between whichever discipline is used, is the expression of emotion through the performance.
In the case of cosplay, it’s embodying a character from a form of media (books, television, games, or movies). In portraying a character (or one’s interpretation of a character), the cosplayer has a variety of avenues available to them for mastery. There’s the use of makeup to consider (and bodypaint for the cosplayers who take that further step) and cosplayers who make their cosplays from scratch. The world of cosplayers delves in even deeper, some cosplayers even focusing on pursuing mastery of one craft while they commission their other pieces from other cosplayers.
Some of these cosplayers operate as boutiques or small studios with their shops open on digital platforms (most can be found operating on Instagram) and appearing at conventions. These are often passion projects or side hobbies, the business itself isn’t often lucrative. Exceptions to the rule can be found, boutique FireflyPath (custom orders can run upwards of $2,000 USD) being an example of this. There are more companies that cater specifically to cosplayers, Arda Wigs is a well-known supplier of wigs for cosplayers and performers.
The continued rise of TikTok has created a platform for cosplayers across the world to come together and even for this type of performance art to evolve further. It’s mimicked the changes seen in performance art in the 19th century with the advent of motion pictures. The film industry changed the world of performance art, allowing for the art form to be preserved and shared. It became a much more accessible art form than it previously was.
With platforms like TikTok and Likee, cosplayers have truly and fully become one-person theatre crews. Not only are they responsible for their cosplays (wigs, makeup, outfits, and props), they also take charge of their lighting and even editing of the short videos they create on those video platforms. Fully-fledged storylines and shows can be found on the different video platforms, cosplayers working together or individually to create stories and performance pieces.
Worldwide quarantine has canceled many of the conventions and meetups where cosplayers would go in order to collaborate and show off their cosplayers. The digital world is one where cosplayers have turned to and thrived in. More and more platforms keep appearing as the art continues to evolve, it’s an evolution to not only keep an eye on but to look forward to.
