Georgina Hill
Georgina Hill, born in the UK, is an artist, filmmaker, and researcher whose work focuses on the politics of images, ‘poetic’ gesture, and impact of (turbo) capitalism on memory. She is completing the MFA Fine Art Programme at Goldsmiths University of London. Previously, she participated in the New Media class of Hito Steyerl, at the University of Fine Arts, Berlin, and completed a BA in English Literature and a MA in Shakespeare in History, both from the University College London.
A small intervention on the day of the British General Election, 12 December 2019: hundreds of red roses and carnations (symbol of worker unity) are taken to Canary Wharf as a statement of comradery in a time of fragmentation in UK society between the socialist left and rightwing financial interests.
The act of giving out flowers, disrupting the usual flow of The City, attempts to question if profit at all cost, rather than a human exchange, is truly necessary. Also acting as a kind of memorial for the youth/marginal vote. Throughout the video, the text appears stating “I’m heartbroken. I voted for the other side.” and “It’s not a memorial for anything particular?” The attitude towards the bouquet of red roses and carnations symbolizes the treatment of youth politics, the young performer cradles the flowers whilst those who support rightwing politics walks unconsciously by. The action of throwing some of the flowers into the River Thames performs a commemorative act towards the 2019 British General Election, the silencing of young people. The last frame of the video is the performer holding on to the remaining flowers, a signal of hope. Until the next election, young people can make their voices heard in the domain of politics.