The Art of the Show?

The French term divertissement offers an excellent starting point for highlighting a specific kind of show: namely, the kind of show that takes exemplars from different genres and assembles them, or makes them appear, one after the other. This chapter is primarily concerned with such shows, and with the question of whether or not a particular show of this nature might—as divertissement, as a variety show—be counted within the category of ‘(good) art.’