Things That Want To Be Held...That I Want To Hold
Things That Want To Be Held…That I Want To Hold
Blanca Guerra-Echeverria and Paul Echeverria
Performance, Ceramics, Social Media
2017-2018
Things That Want To Be Held…That I Want To Hold was a collaborative performance that took place from October 2017 until July 10th, 2018. The project attempted to emulate the multiple stages of childbearing through the use of durational performance, sculptural ceramics, and social media. On a conceptual level, Things Held examines the ritual of couvade, a process by which an expecting father accepts physical discomfort throughout the ongoing months of pregnancy.
Throughout various stages of their relationship, Blanca Echeverria created embryonic sculptures that were appropriated by her partner, Paul Echeverria. Upon receiving news that the couple was expecting a child, Paul vowed to care for the sculptures by keeping them on his person at all times. This action was intended as an act of symbiosis between the expectant parents. The durational aspect of the work was performed for a period of 9 months by both members of the collaboration. Whereas Blanca accepted the responsibility of carrying their prenatal child, Paul participated in the pre-birth process by acting as a caregiver for the ceramic embryos. In addition, the couple invited viewers to participate by displaying care for the nascent sculptures. The performance concluded on July 10th, 2018 and coincided with the birth of their first child.
Ultimately, the work provides a visual narrative about the ephemeral moments leading up to childbirth. Furthermore, Things Held seeks to promote a dialogue about the delicate interdependence between mother, father, and child.
A daily record of the project can be viewed on the social media platform Instagram by searching the hashtag #ThingsHeld.
Blanca Guerra-Echeverria and Paul Echeverria
Performance, Ceramics, Social Media
2017-2018
Things That Want To Be Held…That I Want To Hold was a collaborative performance that took place from October 2017 until July 10th, 2018. The project attempted to emulate the multiple stages of childbearing through the use of durational performance, sculptural ceramics, and social media. On a conceptual level, Things Held examines the ritual of couvade, a process by which an expecting father accepts physical discomfort throughout the ongoing months of pregnancy.
Throughout various stages of their relationship, Blanca Echeverria created embryonic sculptures that were appropriated by her partner, Paul Echeverria. Upon receiving news that the couple was expecting a child, Paul vowed to care for the sculptures by keeping them on his person at all times. This action was intended as an act of symbiosis between the expectant parents. The durational aspect of the work was performed for a period of 9 months by both members of the collaboration. Whereas Blanca accepted the responsibility of carrying their prenatal child, Paul participated in the pre-birth process by acting as a caregiver for the ceramic embryos. In addition, the couple invited viewers to participate by displaying care for the nascent sculptures. The performance concluded on July 10th, 2018 and coincided with the birth of their first child.
Ultimately, the work provides a visual narrative about the ephemeral moments leading up to childbirth. Furthermore, Things Held seeks to promote a dialogue about the delicate interdependence between mother, father, and child.
A daily record of the project can be viewed on the social media platform Instagram by searching the hashtag #ThingsHeld.