Marina Abramović has never shied away from counterintuitive prompts, but her latest endeavor is her most oxymoronic yet — getting Glastonbury, a very loud music festival, to be silent for seven straight minutes.
Abramović completed the endeavor on Friday, the first formal day of Glastonbury, around 5:55pm, shortly before PJ Harvey’s set on the Pyramid Stage. The visual and performance artist intended for the event to be a “public intervention” instead of a performance, and wanted attendees to use the silence as a way to reflect on the current state of the world.
Speaking to The Guardian, Abramović previewed the event and explained why she was eager to capture this moment at such a highly-attended festival. “How can I keep the energy of silence? I’m not a singer, I’m there for another purpose, which is to figure out how we can create silence and reflect what is happening in the world right now and to have that kind of presence in the Pyramid stage.”
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She continued, saying she wasn’t initially sure she would even succeed. “It’s a big risk, that’s why I’m terrified,” Abramović said. “I could completely fail, or people could just sit. I don’t know, but I want to take the risk. Failing is also important, you learn from failing as well as succeeding.” She also wanted the moment to be an introspective detour in an otherwise extroverted plane, saying, “We are really facing a dark moment in human history. So what can be done? I always think protest brings more protest; hate brings more hate. I think it’s important to turn to your own self. It’s easy to criticise everything else but what can I do in my own self, how can I change?”
Emily Eavis, Glastonbury’s co-organizer, also expressed excitement for Abramović’s appearance. “We are honoured to have Marina Abramović bring such a meaningful and profound experience to Glastonbury,” Eavis told The Guardian. “Her work has always pushed boundaries and inspired deep reflection, and we believe this moment of collective silence will be a memorable and impactful addition to the festival.”
The Guardian has been reporting live from the festival, and discussed Abramović’s appearance in their live blog. “[The silence] is a big ask given the, ahem, well-lubricated nature of some Glastonbury punters, but by the sounds of it she’s been successful,” reported Gwilym Mumford. “The Guardian’s Sarah Phillips, who is in the field, says that, bar a rogue screamer, the crowd all kept quiet and that the effect is ‘incredibly powerful and moving.’”
Glastonbury is currently under way on Worthy Farm, and will feature headlining sets from Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and SZA. Both Dua Lipa’s and Coldplay’s sets will be able to be livestreamed from around the world on the BBC website.
🎥 Serbian artist Marina Abramović joins PJ Harvey on the Pyramid Stage for a 7 minute silence 🙏#Glastonbury #GlastonburyFestival pic.twitter.com/y9QXC20baI
— Far Out Magazine #Glastonbury2024 (@FarOutMag) June 28, 2024