Performance Art

Art has been represented in paintings, sculptures, photographs, and various other tangible forms of display. In performance art, an artist's body becomes his or her canvas. One performance artist discussed in class is Marina Abramovic. Abramovic's 11-week performance at New York's Museum of Modern Art was a favorite of mine. During the performance, Abramovic sat silently in a wooden chair during museum hours for 11 weeks, allowing anyone to sit across from her. Her only rules were that those who observed her did not speak. Initially, I did not comprehend the difficulty of such a task, nor the tremendous effect it had on both its viewers and the artist herself. Abramovic described the profound connection she had with certain audience members simply through gazing into their eyes. After all, eyes are said to be windows to the soul, and though Abramovic never once spoke to her viewers, she began to feel unconditional love for complete strangers. Abramovic's viewers were emotionally touched by her work, with many crying as they sat across from her. Initially, I did not understand which aspects of Abramovic's work constituted art. However, as I pondered her performance, I uncovered many elements of art within her unorthodox work. Great art moves its viewers, both to laughter and to tears. Abramovic's silent presence on a chair caused people from across the world to become vulnerable. Even New Yorkers, famous for their indifferent, emotionless demeanor wore their hearts on their sleeves while visiting Abramovic. Abramovic acted as a mirror, reflecting various painful and pleasurable memories of viewers' lives. Since I was introduced to this work, I often wonder which memories would come to my mind if I were sitting across from Abramovic. Abramovic's work reveals that art certainly has healing powers, and observing her performance can be equated with a good therapy session.





-Tina