The artist is present

Definition

The artist is present is a performance art piece by Marina Abramović, where she sat silently at a table in the Museum of Modern Art for over 700 hours, inviting viewers to sit across from her and engage in a moment of shared presence. This work explores themes of connection, vulnerability, and the nature of interaction between artist and audience, emphasizing the significance of physical presence in art as a form of communication.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Marina Abramović's 'the artist is present' took place from March 14 to May 31, 2010, and became one of the most iconic works in contemporary art.
2. Throughout the performance, Abramović maintained complete silence and stillness, creating a meditative atmosphere that encouraged personal reflection for both herself and the audience.
3. The piece challenged traditional notions of art by making the viewer an integral part of the experience, blurring the lines between artist and audience.
4. Some participants experienced intense emotions during their interaction with Abramović, leading to moments of profound connection or even tears.
5. The work raised questions about intimacy, presence, and the human condition, making it a pivotal example of how performance art can evoke deep emotional responses.

Review Questions

• How does 'the artist is present' redefine the relationship between the artist and the audience?
  • 'the artist is present' redefines the relationship by transforming the audience from passive observers to active participants in the artwork. By inviting viewers to sit across from her and share a moment of silence, Abramović creates an intimate space where both artist and viewer engage in a dialogue that transcends verbal communication. This shift emphasizes the importance of presence in art and illustrates how interactive experiences can deepen connections between individuals.
• Discuss the impact of silence and stillness on the experience of 'the artist is present' for both Marina Abramović and her audience.
  • Silence and stillness played a crucial role in shaping the experience of 'the artist is present.' For Abramović, maintaining silence allowed her to fully embody her role as an artist, creating an environment that encouraged self-reflection and emotional vulnerability. For the audience, this atmosphere fostered moments of contemplation and connection, as many participants reported feeling a powerful bond with Abramović during their interactions. The absence of spoken words heightened emotional responses, revealing the depth of human connection through mere presence.
• Evaluate how 'the artist is present' contributes to discussions around vulnerability and intimacy in contemporary performance art.
  • 'the artist is present' significantly contributes to discussions around vulnerability and intimacy by showcasing how performance art can reveal deep emotional truths. Abramović's willingness to expose her own vulnerabilities invites audiences to confront their own feelings and experiences during their interactions with her. This creates a shared space for intimacy that challenges societal norms surrounding emotional expression. By foregrounding these themes, 'the artist is present' elevates the conversation about how performance art can serve as a powerful medium for exploring human connections in an increasingly disconnected world.

Related terms

Performance Art: A live art form that combines various artistic disciplines, often emphasizing the artist's body and actions as the medium of expression.

Audience Participation: The involvement of viewers or spectators in a work of art, transforming them from passive observers to active participants.

Duration Art: A genre within performance art that focuses on the time-based aspect of a performance, often requiring extended periods of endurance or engagement.