Kilometre of Tree stacks in minecraft

The Artist is Present

1) What are some of your first impressions of Marina Abramovic’s performance works, based on the documentary? Use an image/example of one or two works to describe aspects you admire, and aspects you might agree are problematic. 

She seems to be very in touch with the way she feels things and able to represent them through her performances. Like I think she has this great capability of communicating emotion or life experience with abstract presentation, and maybe that for her is the only way it can be communicated.

I really liked the walk Marina did with Ulay where they spent 90 days moving toward each other. it’s something to be said about that dedication, and ultimately knowing that after all that walking you will eventually be reunited with the one you love. not thinking of giving up and sacrificing their comfort for the other. and after going through that process ending it by getting married. though they didn’t stay together, i still think it’s beautiful that two human beings shared that kind of experience with one another, and get to add it to their collection of moments. but for me i don’t know if i see any of her work as problematic from what i’ve seen so far. you could see some acts as overly sexual and sinful because of self mutilation, but if this is the way in which the artist chooses to create or perform they have that right. as well, people have this fear of the human body, and in some instances it can be contextually sexual, but the human form needs to be less taboo and understood when theres different contexts. this goes for more aspects in life too, people often ignore context and assume the intention is always the same. my disdain would only be dictated by others opinions, and ultimately wouldn’t matter anyway because the artist gets to decide.

2) What have you learned about features of performance art based on Abramovic’s work? Name a few key features according to here examples. Include an image to illustrate. Consider her quote: “when you perform it is a knife and our blood, when you act it is a fake knife and ketchup.” 

It seems that in performance art, the ones involved can get so deeply involved in the performance that they don’t process what they’re putting themselves through. they become so entangled with the performance that they just embody art, or maybe life itself. in a way they are in a state of flow, and it could become meditative. it is free from all worry or care about the way in which society forces us to behave.

with her performance the artist is present, not only is she sitting in a chair across from whoever takes the seat, she is present. she came with the intention of giving all her attention to those who sit across from her. and remains seated for the entire showing, no distractions and nothing else planned. if you were to sit across from her you would see her, and she would see you. with no words exchanged, unspoken stories get told with how you carry yourself. if you get uncomfortable after some time, if you start crying, if you smile. all of these are reactions to being noticed and seen, and your past experiences through lack of attention, or too much of it can elicit a response inside of you that you will feel. and sitting there, if you allow yourself to be fully present, will make you realize things about yourself you’ve been ignoring.