Glastonbury 2024: Marina Abramović silences the Pyramid Stage
Revered Serbian performance artist Marina Abramović held a seven minute silence before PJ Harvey took to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival.
Abramović, who, in the run-up to the piece, characterised it as a “public intervention” and not a performance, took to the stage prior to the influential Harvey’s set in one of the most profound moments of the festival so far. Dubbing it Seven Minutes of Collective Silence, it was intended to seriously contemplate the world’s current precarious state.
A political event, it was held alongside the art organisation Circa, known for taking over Piccadilly Circus in London’s billboards with work by artists Ai Weiwei and Frank Bowling.
Abramović is known for exploring body and endurance art and the relationship between performer and audience. Prior to the silence, she revealed that it would be a formidable challenge to bring something so profound and interactive to a festival as lively as Glastonbury. Yet, staying true to her famous approach, she said she wants to go beyond the alcohol and narcotic-induced revelry in light of something much bigger than all of us.
Describing the undertaking as “a big risk”, she told The Guardian before Friday’s piece was unveiled: “We are reallyfacing 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 ownself, how can I change?”
She added: “Can you imagine if we succeed? It will be an incredible moment.”
Despite Abramović being openly terrified about pulling off such an act in front of such a large crowd – which is by far the largest of her career, surpassing her previously most seismic of 6,000 – it was undertaken without a hitch. As Glastonbury is traditionally a progressive celebration, the audience abided, with it eerily silent, as music lovers of all backgrounds unanimously spent seven minutes internally reflecting on the present state of the world, with wars and humanitarian crises in the headlines daily.
Wearing a bright white dress shaped into a peace symbol designed by the former head of Burberry, Riccardo Tisci, despite the high fashion element of her aesthetic, Abramović’s message was clear as soon as she walked on stage. Her presence commanded the crowd into silence.
“We are honoured to have Marina Abramović bring such a meaningful and profound experience to Glastonbury,” Emily Eavis, Glastonbury co-organiser, said before the event. “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.”
Following PJ Harvey’s hotly-anticipated set on the Pyramid Stage, LCD Soundsystem will keep the crowd going before Friday’s headliner Dua Lipa, commences her performance at 22:00.
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