darstellenden

Darstellenden is a form of the German adjective darstellend, meaning depicting, representing, or performing. It is most often encountered in the phrase die darstellenden Künste, which translates to the performing arts. The term groups disciplines that focus on representation and live portrayal, such as theatre, dance, and performance art, sometimes extending to related forms of staged or expressive presentation.

Grammatically, darstellenden is an attributive adjective used with plural nouns following a definite article. For example, die darstellenden Künste (the performing arts) or in a general sense darstellende Künste without a definite article. The corresponding noun forms are rare and context dependent; more common terms to refer to practitioners are Darsteller (performer) or Darstellende Künste as a fixed expression.

Usage and scope: In German-speaking arts discourse, die darstellenden Künste denotes the segment of the arts that relies on representation and performance before an audience. The term is often used in education, cultural policy, and criticism. It is commonly contrasted with bildende Künste (visual arts), which emphasize creation for contemplation rather than live performance.

See also: Darstellung, Darsteller, Theater, Tanz, Performance, Kulturpolitik.

Example sentences: In der Schule werden die darstellenden Künste gefördert. Die Abteilung widmet sich der Produktion von Theater- und Tanzprojekten im Rahmen der darstellenden Künste.