“Performance art has this incredible power of realization of so many things. It is difficult to maintain because it is immaterial; it is time-based, and it takes everything from you.”
–Marina Abramović, episode 267 of Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso
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.
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 76 (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.
Marina Abramović: A Virtual Exhibit
Balkan Baroque, 1997 (8:57)
Performance, Installation
Duration: 4 days, 6 hours
XLVII Biennale, Venice
Photo by: Attilio Maranzano
Courtesy: the Marina Abramović Archives and Sean Kelly, New York
Crystal Wall of Crying, 2021 (11:00)
Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center
Kyiv, Ukraine
Courtesy: the Marina Abramović Archives and Sean Kelly, New York
The Great Wall Walk, 1988 (16:10)
Marina Abramović and Ulay
Performance
Duration: 90 Days
The Great Wall of China
Courtesy: the Marina Abramović Archives and Sean Kelly, New York
Installation view of Marina Abramović: Performative, 2022 (16:59)
March 4th — April 16th
Photography: Jason Wyche, New York
Courtesy: Sean Kelly Gallery, New York
The Artist Is Present, 2010 (17:15)
Performance
Duration: 75 Days — 716 hours, 30 minutes
March 7 – May 31st, 2010
The Donald B. and Catherine C. Marron Atrium, The Museum of Modern Art, New York
Photo by: Marco Anelli
Courtesy: the Marina Abramović Archives and Sean Kelly, New York
Rhythm 0, 1974 (34:45)
Performance
Duration: 6 hours
Studio Mona Gallery, Naples
Courtesy: the Marina Abramović Archives and Sean Kelly, New York
Lips of Thomas, 1975 (39:51)
Performance
Duration: 2 hours
Krinzinger Gallery, Innsbruck
Courtesy: the Marina Abramović Archives and Sean Kelly, New York
Rhythm 5, 1974 (39:54)
Performance
Duration: 1.5 hours
Student Culture Center, Belgrade
Courtesy: the Marina Abramović Archives and Sean Kelly, New York
Rhythm 2, 1974 (39:57)
First part: 15 minutes
Second part: 7 hours
Gallery of Contemporary Art, Zagreb
Courtesy: the Marina Abramović Archives and Sean Kelly, New York
Four-year-old Marina, 1951 | Marina’s mother and father (40:12)
From her 2016 memoir, Walk Through Walls.
Courtesy: the Marina Abramović Archives and Penguin Random House
7 Deaths of Maria Callas, 2021 (45:42)
Color video, stereo sound
Runtime: 61 minutes, 30 seconds
Courtesy: the Marina Abramović Archives and Sean Kelly, New York
The Artist Is Present, 2010 — table removed (49:10)
Duration: 75 Days — 716 hours, 30 minutes
March 7 – May 31st, 2010
The Donald B. and Catherine C. Marron Atrium, The Museum of Modern Art, New York
Photo by: Marco Anelli
Courtesy: the Marina Abramović Archives and Sean Kelly, New York
Show-notes:
- Visit Marina’s new exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts.
- Purchase her latest book Marina Abramović: Nomadic Journey and Spirit of Places.
- Pre-order her upcoming visual biography, available November 28th.
- Find more of Marina’s work with the Marina Abramović Institute.
- Follow their pages on Instagram and Facebook.
- For more, listen to our talks with Joel Meyerowitz, Kehinde Wiley, Margaret Atwood, Zadie Smith, Toyin Ojih Odutola, and Tom Hanks.
- Order your Talk Easy mug in cream and navy or our vinyl record with Fran Lebowitz.
Illustration by Krishna Shenoi.
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