I Danced with a Flautist: Performing in William Mackrell's Exhibition at The Ryder Gallery

Last month I had the pleasure of performing in 'Hold Up', William Mackrell's opening piece of his exhibition 'Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night' at The Ryder Gallery. The live performance (with all safety measures in effect) featured the British artist, Alicia Cano, Manuel León, and I acting as a band. I danced around with maracas and gripped the microphone like a lead singer, trying not to channel Axl Rose more than necessary. We interpreted various songs Mackrell had recorded from phone hotlines as a "monument to waiting." How relevant for 2020!

The exhibition at The Ryder, runs until January 29th, 2021. Go see it if you're in Madrid, then wander around Lavapies and go out to lunch. Tia Carlota and Los Chuchis are fun spots to have a bite to eat. 

William Mackrell, Hold Up, 2020
Live performance at The RYDER, Madrid. 19th November 2020
15 min. Air Europa 3.57′ / NHS England Switchboard 3.28′ / Direct Auto 2.10′ / TeamKnowHow 3.02′
Performers: William Mackrell, Alicia Cano, Margo Fortuny and Manuel León.

William Mackrell, Hold Up, 2016-2020 (detail)
Record player, Hi-Fi System (110 x 60 cm), steel hole, speakers & cable
6 Vinyl discs Sound loop, variable Display cabinet (120 x 90 cm)

William Mackrell, Do not go gentle into that good night.

Installation view at The RYDER, Madrid, November 2020

Phone footage of the performance, 2020

Photographs courtesy of The Ryder, Madrid.