Marina Abramović's performances challenge societal norms and explore the transformative power of performance art.
In 'The Artist is Present,' Abramović removes a table to create a more intimate and direct connection with the audience, demonstrating the power of stillness and presence.
Abramović's performances aim to transcend fear, explore the human body's pain threshold, and provoke self-reflection to expand consciousness and overcome personal limitations.
Deep dives
Rhythm Zero: A Performance that Pushed Boundaries
In 1974, Marina Abramović performed Rhythm Zero in Naples, where she placed 72 objects on a table, including items for pleasure and pain. She invited the audience to use these objects on her for six hours, even to the point of potentially killing her. The performance explored the artist's willingness to push physical and mental limits, as well as the audience's reactions and their capacity for empathy or cruelty. Through this daring and boundary-pushing work, Abramović challenged societal norms and explored the transformative power of performance art.
The Artist is Present: Removing the Table and the Power of Stillness
One of Marina Abramović's most significant works is The Artist is Present, performed at MoMA in 2010. It involved Abramović sitting in silence at a table, making direct eye contact with visitors who took turns sitting across from her. The piece initially included a table, but Abramović realized that it created a barrier between her and the audience. In a bold move, she decided to remove the table, allowing for a more intimate and direct connection. The performance showed the power of stillness and presence, inviting viewers to engage with their own emotions and reflect on the shared humanity.
Creating Performance Art: Healing and Transcending Fear
Marina Abramović's performances often involve self-infliction or pushing physical and emotional boundaries. She explains that her motivations for such works come from a desire to face and transcend fear, to explore the human body's pain threshold, and to examine the healing power of art. Abramović believes that by challenging the fear of pain, both in herself and the audience, she can open doors to new perceptions and understandings. Her performances aim to create transformative experiences and provoke self-reflection in order to expand consciousness and overcome personal limitations.
A Personal Journey: Finding Happiness and Wisdom
Throughout her life, Marina Abramović has experienced moments of hardship and heartbreak, including difficult relationships and the loss of loved ones. However, in her later years, she has found happiness and wisdom through her work and personal growth. Abramović sees aging as an opportunity for increased wisdom and understanding. She values the lessons learned from past experiences and approaches life with optimism and curiosity. She emphasizes the importance of living fully and embracing the unknown, even in the face of death.
The Journey of Forgiveness and Empathy
Marina Abramović, in reflecting on her relationship with her mother, grapples with the impact her childhood experiences had on her adult relationships. Through forgiveness and self-reflection, Abramović has come to understand her mother's actions as an attempt to toughen her and prepare her for life's challenges. She has let go of the hurt and has learned to cultivate empathy and search for love and connection in her own relationships. By examining her own vulnerabilities and understanding the motivations of others, Abramović has found personal growth, happiness, and the capacity to love.
Marina Abramović is a pioneer in the field of performance art, using her body as both the subject and the medium. Today, we return to our special conversation with the legendary performer from her New York City apartment. To follow along with the works discussed, visit our guided, virtual exhibit at talkeasypod.com/marina-abramovic.
We start with her healing installation in Ukraine (7:45), creating art out of hardship (12:24), a Rainer Rilke poem that shaped her childhood (15:23), and the curiosity that propels her forward (23:42) in the face of sexist attacks from the press (28:59).
On the back-half, Marina reflects on her groundbreaking work in Rhythm 0 (33:39), her tolerance for pain (38:39), the deep-seated influence of her mother (39:47), finding happiness at age 75 (45:20), how her seminal piece, The Artist Is Present, lives on (47:56), and what it means to be still, together (52:30).
For thoughts, reflections, and guest suggestions, drop me a line at sf@talkeasypod.com.
