Midseason program ‘23
long grass, short life; a recipe for clumping
program: 13 oct – 16 dec 2023
show: 19 – 21 april 2024
location: ATV Piccardthof – Piccardtlaan 2, groningen
THE REST, 2024
Performance with five acts
THE REST is a series of performances by Lily Dollner, with five acts. The performance consists of ritualistic auto-burials based on the hypothesis that those who die are buried horizontally, but those who change should be buried in other spatial formats. Starting from the intention to try and merge with Piccardthof, Lily seeks to be enveloped by the space, entering into a meditative state to become one with the garden. Unproductiveness and impracticality are central concerns in Lily’s art practice and these series of performances embrace counterintuitiveness and laborious actions that are, ultimately, in vain.
An effort to prove that a constant and gentle crushing pressure can also be comforting, and even relaxing.
The Earth wants to open up and swallow you too. When you're addicted to both shame and attention, you might be kept warm by a burning red-hot flush even when the ground that envelops you is cold. It’s always a better idea to self-inflict discomfort before it has the chance to crop up from an external source.
Nothing compares to the deeply gratifying feeling of complete helplessness, because there are no responsibilities left to exercise - it becomes unnecessary to worry and feel inadequate. Acceptance isn’t something to struggle to do anymore, it is just reality.