Marina Abramovic (born 1946) is a famous contemporary artist, a master of extravagant creative performances that evoke a variety of reactions from the public and critics: irritation, indignation, surprise, shock, admiration, but never boredom. "And this is art?" - they have been asking since 1970. But Marina herself likes this kind of reaction from the public, and the artist has already found the answer to the question: "This is my life." We will talk about the most memorable performances of Marina Abramovic in this article.
Marina Abramovic
Marina had her first lesson in performance art at the age of 14. By the way, her childhood was quite difficult, relations with her parents were strained, they simply did not care about their daughter, and the status of famous Belgrade partisans and national heroes did not imply a lot of free time that could be given to Marina.
Marina Abramovič with her father.
One day she asked her father to buy her oil paints, and he did, but his friend decided to play a joke on the overly independent girl, poured and stirred the paints on the canvas and threw a firecracker. There was a small explosion, the colors mixed and lay in the form of an abstract stain. Marina realized for the first time that performances are much more interesting and fun than boring academic painting, and the process of creativity is sometimes no less important than the result.
During another performance
But soon her parents divorced, and Marina's mother decided to take her daughter's upbringing seriously. Established strict discipline, forbade her to go out with friends, and already at 9 pm had to go home, as if forgetting that for the average teenager after 9 life just begins. Marina rebelled, and once even thought to play “Russian roulette” - well though everything turned out well. She finally waited for the opportunity to leave her shabby home and enroll in the Belgrade University of Arts, and since the 1970s she has devoted herself entirely to performance art.
AAA-AAA performance from 1978,
Many people learned about her after a YouTube video that Marina posted in 2006. In the old days in the Balkans, Marina told how it was customary to treat sick livestock, to help a wife during childbirth, and in general, to communicate with nature. It turned out that genitals play a decisive role here, and you can learn the details from the video. However, it was hastily cut from everywhere, but if you want to find it, you can still find it.
A moment of performance art, “Relationship in Time.”
In 1997, Marina Abramović organized an even more provocative performance dedicated to all the victims of the Balkan War. She got 1500 bloody bones - well, if different animals, not human ones - and started to wash and clean them from blood. Abramovic spent 6 hours a day on this activity, saying that although she was born in Serbia, she could not tell anything about her country, because it simply does not exist anymore. The creative idea was highly appreciated and was awarded the “Golden Lion” of the 47th Venice Festival.
Balkan Baroque Performance.
However, there were performances that no normal person would dare to do. Once Abramović carved a five-pointed star on her stomach, then committed self-abuse and finally laid naked on a cross made of ice. In New York they talked about her a lot, though mostly negatively, but any attention for Abramovic is more important than cold indifference, so dangerous for any creator.
Rhythm 0, 1974.
There were also performances related to social consciousness, such as Rhythm 0, where Abramović acted as a victim. In 1974, she appeared in front of everyone and placed over 70 different objects on a table, including a gun, a knife, a scourge and scissors. Abramovic allowed the audience to do whatever they wanted with these objects, while she stood motionless for 6 hours. Luckily, everything turned out well with a few cuts and an attempted murder with a loaded gun, although at one point the crowd surrounding Marina almost lost control.
Performance Rhythm 0, 1974.
There was little interest in things neutral and intended for pleasure, but sharp and dangerous objects were in high demand. Later, this performance was much talked about as a phenomenon of the crowd's cruelty, ready to tear apart an innocent victim, especially if she offered no resistance. When the agonizing six hours had passed, Abramović walked toward the exit. The crowd recoiled from her in consternation, thinking she would try to call the police or turn herself in. And Abramović went to her hotel and for the first time discovered gray in her hair. Modern art requires sacrifice - looking at Abramović's performances this phrase is truer than ever.
Buy handmade goods or modern art you can on artAlebrio - is an international marketplace for people who want to create, sell, buy and collect unique items and art - buy the best with us artAlebrio.com.
By confirming your order you unconditionally accept these General Conditions of Sale
