Below are portraits of people watching Marina Abramovic perform her latest work as part of ‘The Artist Is Present’ at MOMA. Abramovic sits in silence at a table, inviting visitors to take the seat across from her for as long as they choose. She does not respond to the participants.
It’s such a simple idea and yet so very complex and powerful. Have you ever sat across from someone and held their gaze for even a minute? I just adore the bravery and vulnerability in these faces (especially Beardy – I really want to give him a big hug). It’s like they are broken open at being seen.
More raw beauty here. And there is a live video of the performance.
Updated to add this link from Zan who went to see the exhibition.
Comments
i’ve done a couple of exercises like this. fucking powerful shit. because words mean nothing when fully present with another beautiful being
wicked. i love this
sas Replied:
‘words mean nothing when fully present with another beautiful being’ that’s poetry that is.
These are such powerful, vulnerable and REAL faces. Thank you so much for showing them to me, now I’ll go learn more. You are awesome.
sas Replied:
real faces – I know! we don’t see enough of those. and how beautiful are people?
I’d be a blubbering, snotty mess in less than three seconds. True fact.
These are just beautiful. Heart-achingly beautiful. I’d seen the live feed not so long ago, but I actually think the still portraits are more moving somehow. Thanks for sharing, lovely one.
sas Replied:
same :)
i fall in so easily and just turn to mush.
i wonder what would happen if we passed a law that all conflict had to be resolved by holding your foe’s gaze until you both forgave each other.
oh how i’d love to capture those portraits.
pure. simple. real.
thanks, sas.
sas Replied:
i see this beauty in your images
There’s an ‘artist’ in Dallas who recorded hundreds of hours of people’s eyes staring forward. She then made a large exhibit of tiny LCD screens with the eyes all peering out. Way creepier than this… Frances Bagley
sas Replied:
agree – its way creepier!
They are very simple and utterly lovely.
wow – this is powerful stuff, I love art that pushes those indiscernible boundaries, taking us to new places . . . . thanks for sharing. I know her and some of her work, but not this project.
Amelia.x