Untitled (Charlotte Moorman performing "Ice Music," Roundhouse Theatre, London, August, 1972) 1972

This photograph captures Charlotte Moorman in London, August 1972, performing “Ice Music.” It’s a black and white image, so we're already dealing with a kind of abstraction. Moorman, seated, holds an ice cello, the bow raised, ready to make a sound that will disappear as it is made. It reminds me that artmaking is about a process, not a precious fixed product. The grainy texture and stark contrast add a raw, ephemeral quality. The melting ice is a reminder of time passing, and the inherent instability of performance art. The dark background throws Moorman into sharp relief, and the ‘Exit’ sign in the background gives the piece an extra layer of meaning. Much like Yoko Ono, who she collaborated with, Moorman created work that provokes questions. What is music? What is performance? What is art? There are no easy answers, but that's what makes it all so interesting.