Holding Up 4 the Degree Show (2023)

GSA Degree show - June 2023

Briony Godivala

Holding Up 4, June 2023

Duration: 4 minutes 22 seconds

Stow Building, Glasgow

During the exhibition opening of the GSA Degree Show, I spread the word that the performance I had tested before (Holding Up) in January, I was going to attempt again. The first time this was performed I was lifted up by friends and then reached out to others around at the exhibition - with no warning or instruction - for them to support me and hold me up. I then performed it twice for examiners, making them uncomfortable having to hold me up but also bringing in my own group for extra hands. This is the 4th time performing and everyone who had participated before was there and knew what to do. Rather than the struggle and awkwardness of the first time, this was busy and chaotic. I was essentially crowd surfing my degree show.

Challenging personal, physical and art world boundaries through interactive performance, bodies supporting bodies. Creating the sense of risk for the performer that forces the audience to decide whether to ‘help’ the performer/performance or to avoid the spectacle.