This is one of a series of writings that reflect on my journey toward re-making a performance art work called ‘The Butter Piece’. I first made it in 2011 and I’m revisiting it now a decade later.
‘The Butter Piece’ was shown live at CLAY, Leeds on the 26th November and Colchester Arts Centre on the 1st December. More details here.
08 December 2021
The most difficult part is the beginning. Removing the dress. There’s no way to take your clothes off that doesn’t smack of taking your clothes off -and all that that denotes I’m naked in it And the butter starts hard. As I ease up to it, it doesn’t respond easily I have to give it my sure, smooth, slow movement. And it responds by leaving oiliness up and around the spaces - places you aren’t supposed to be aware of in company It feels shameful. Smeary Like accidents and ignorance Secretive - derived from Secretions Judgement I feel hot. The outer surfaces of my skin tighten against the gaze of the audience. Later is better. The social context slips away and naked is the new normal. Anxious tension gives way to pleasure as The butter gives me it’s soft, smooth, slow movement. And I slide into it like a warm bath - and play. We make long slides short shunts We can do what we like..... The end is a different kind of daring. Clothes on, or off, doesn’t really matter because we have arrived Exposure has melted into power The risk is only falling free falling and free standing. ***************