03/07/2026
The North London Degree Show Festival at Middlesex University London presents
Anniversary— An act of memory
2.00-3.00pm, 8 July, 1st floor entrance, The Grove
A performance work conceived and originally performed by Monica Ross, continued by The Monica Ross Archive and Robert Ayers.
Anniversary: Acts of Memory (AAoM) is a performance work by Monica Ross (1950-2013) that continues to be performed after her death (https://www.monicaross.org/artworks/AnniversaryAnActOfMemory.html), notably by artist and art educator Robert Ayers, who aims to complete 80 tribute acts by the 80th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 2028.
The work consists of live solo and collaborative recitations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights), ideally from memory.
In this collective recitation led by Robert Ayers, Middlesex staff, students and visitors are invited to choose an article to memorise and recite in a language of their choice, possibly their mother tongue, in celebration of the diversity of our London campus community.
This event is organised by art historian Dr Alexandra Kokoli (Fine Art, Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries), a long-time friend of Monica’s, occasional participant in AAoM recitations, and author of ‘Remembering, Repeating and Working Through in Anniversary – An Act of Memory by Monica Ross and Co-Recitors (2008-)’, Performance Research, vol. 17, no. 5 (2012) ‘On Duration’, pp. 24-30.
Come to experience a collective multi-lingual recitation of one of the most important documents of the 20th century, whose full implementation continues to elude us. You may attend as either a co-recitor or an audience member. No RSVP required to attend.
For co-recitors:
There are 30 Articles in the Declaration. To take part please choose one (or more), in a language of your choice, and memorise it. Your memorisation doesn't have to be word perfect. The emphasis of the recitation is on the attempt, and the difficulty, of being able to meet the Declaration's call to constantly "keep it in mind" and the challenge of being able to voice or act on it especially when under pressure. More details on how to be a co-recitor are available here: https://monicaross.org/artworks/considering-co-reciting.html and please sign up here: https://monicaross.org/artworks/Roberts80.html
Robert Ayers's 80 acts project for the 80th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 2028.
