The Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition 2019: Just Below by finalist Anna Garner

In this video, performance artist Anna Garner
appears in an architectural environment that she
built herself. Although the cool simplicity of the
setting references Minimalist sculpture, Garner
describes this piece as staging her own disaster.
Dressed in red, she slowly and methodically bangs
a pole onto the platform on which she stands.
Ultimately, it collapses and she loses her footing.
Garner clarifies: “Inserting my own anxiety into this
space, it can no longer exist as neutral or essential.
Instead, it captures an intimate self-portrait of my
body in physical uncertainty, acting out a false
attempt at control.”
Garner works predominantly in photography,
performance, video, and installation. In accordance
with her wide-ranging practice, she cites a variety
of influences, such as performance art, silent film,
ballet, and modern dance.