A Simple Truth

Description:

A Simple Truth was a performance by Rebecca Belmore performed at Western Front as part of LIVE Biennial. 

It began with Belmore kneeling in a darkened room in front of a stereo playing Johnny Cash’s cover of the song “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails. At the conclusion of the song, Belmore placed a rolled up piece of paper under a cake decorated with the words “I was born.” 

As she unrolled the paper, it revealed the following text: “A British subject I was born. A British subject I will die. A subject I was born. A subject I will die. I was born. I will die.” The end of the paper was anchored by a second cake that was decorated with the words “I will die.” 

Lying supine, Belmore addressed the audience using a microphone fit with a delay effect. As her voice echoed through the room, an assistant arranged and lit taper candles around Belmore’s body. Belmore’s monologue began as a light-hearted address to the audience before shifting to a discussion about her creative process. This was told partly through a narrative involving her connection to the suicide of a student with whom she worked during a residency. 

The performance concluded with Belmore encouraging the audience to take a candle before leading them on a procession out of Western Front. 

A Simple Truth was presented as part of the Contemporary Ritual Series curated by Victoria Singh. 

Video documentation available upon request.