Catharsis, Space and Motivation in Unconventional Event Performance Venues

Abstract

The concept of catharsis, widely exploited in literature, music, drama and psychoanalysis remains still an untouched area in the event industry. Man and space have always defined one another. From the caves to the sky scrapers, humankind's evolution could be detected through its relation to the habitat and the way it has constructed the habitat, but it also defined the way society evolved. By understanding why individuals attend performances in unconventional spaces, our understanding of the events market, the industry, but also the human mind is enhanced. Therefore the purpose of this study is to demonstrate that space generates catharsis. By reviewing literature and undertaking primary research, the author developed a new framework by which motivations to attend events in unconventional spaces could be understood. Findings suggest that individuals prefer the genre of unconventional event venues because it portrays a holistic experience of calmness, serenity, relaxation and freedom of speech.