A woman is sitting on a chair. 7 hours a day. Almost 3 months.
What is this about?
The description is confusing. The simplicity stumps the spectator, and meanwhile arouses the curiosity what could be behind that simple concept.
1.565 persons sat in front of Marina Abramović, getting an impression of the spectacle, and much more persons even just watched the whole scenario. But what is it exactly that catches our intention, that brought so many journalists and the media in motion to speak and write about it? Is it simply our curiousness or is there something more deep and secret to be seen.
What is a body, even a body that is not moving, just sitting, possible to tell us? How is it transporting the things it want to say, or the mind behind the body intends to tell. And how can we understand the speech we are going to see?
„My work became through times more simple and thus more difficult. Three months keeping that mental status, face to face with the public, feels like opening your soul.“
Marina Abramović
Maybe it is that citation that sets an inkling of what is happening through this piece of performance. There is a human being, opening its soul in the middle of New York, a city with 8 million inhabitants, more than 20 different nations, 12 languages and a status that we can call multiethnic megacity, a symbol for a globalised world that opens its limits and seems to become one fast and continuous movement.
The following paper tries to analyse the performance piece The Artist is Present by Marina Abramović in context to our contemporary multicultural world, its forces and debilities, considering to contemporary aims and changes as the meaning of time, presence, humanity and the sense of human being in a complex system regarding the performance art history and intentions.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1 Performance Art
- 1.1 Appearance and development
- 1.1.1 Performance and mass-media
- 1.1.2 Performance as a weapon
- 1.2 Performance a definition
- 2 Marina Abramović
- 2.1 Life
- 2.2 Work
- 3 The Artist is Present
- 3.1 Description
- 4 Contemporary multicultural world
- 4.1 Zeitgeist
- 4.1.1 Modern times
- 4.1.2 Capitalism and Marketing
- 4.1.3 Slow-movement
- 4.2 The meaning of presence
- 4.2.1 Phenomenon 2.0 and prominence
- 4.2.2 Performance and religion
- 4.2.3 Presence through meditation
- 4.3 Performance as a global movement
- 4.3.1 Life is performance, is show
- 4.3.2 Performance Art as a reality check
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes Marina Abramović's performance piece, "The Artist is Present," within the context of the contemporary multicultural world. It explores the performance's significance, considering the evolving meanings of time, presence, and humanity within a complex globalized system. The analysis incorporates the history and intentions of performance art.
- The evolution and definition of performance art.
- The life and work of Marina Abramović.
- The impact of mass media on performance art.
- The concept of presence in a contemporary multicultural context.
- Performance art as a reflection of Zeitgeist.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: The introduction sets the stage by presenting the seemingly simple yet intriguing premise of Abramović's performance: a woman sitting silently for hours. It immediately raises questions about the work's purpose and its captivating effect on the audience. The author hints at a deeper meaning beyond the surface simplicity, suggesting that the performance serves as a reflection of the complexities of the contemporary multicultural world. The introduction positions the performance as a lens through which to explore themes of humanity, presence, and time in a globalized context.
1 Performance Art: This chapter traces the historical development of performance art, from its early manifestations in Dadaism and the Bauhaus movement to its evolution in the 1960s and beyond. It distinguishes performance art from theater, highlighting its unique characteristics, such as its live and unrepeatable nature and its rejection of the art market's commodification. The chapter also discusses the role of mass media in disseminating performance art and its use as a means of social and political commentary.
2 Marina Abramović: This section would delve into the life and artistic career of Marina Abramović, providing context for understanding her work. It would explore her artistic motivations, techniques, and evolution as a performance artist, highlighting significant works that informed "The Artist is Present." This chapter's purpose is to prepare the reader for a deeper understanding of the artistic intentions behind the specific performance being analyzed.
3 The Artist is Present: This chapter would provide a detailed description of Abramović's "The Artist is Present" performance at MoMA. It would analyze the setup, the duration, and the artist's role in the piece. The description would offer insights into the sensory experience for the audience, highlighting the subtle dynamics and unspoken communication between the artist and those who participated. This chapter serves as the core of the analysis.
4 Contemporary multicultural world: This chapter would explore the multifaceted nature of the contemporary multicultural world, examining its characteristics and complexities, including factors such as globalization, capitalism, and the changing concepts of time and presence. It contextualizes Abramović's performance within this framework, suggesting how the piece reflects and interacts with the prevailing social, economic, and cultural trends of our time. This chapter would connect Abramović's work to broader social and philosophical conversations, providing a richer understanding of the context surrounding the performance.
Keywords
Performance art, Marina Abramović, The Artist is Present, contemporary art, multiculturalism, globalization, presence, time, humanity, mass media, Zeitgeist, body art.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Marina Abramović's "The Artist is Present"
What is the main focus of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of an academic paper analyzing Marina Abramović's performance art piece, "The Artist is Present," within the context of the contemporary multicultural world. It explores the performance's significance, considering themes of time, presence, and humanity within a globalized system.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
The analysis explores the evolution and definition of performance art, the life and work of Marina Abramović, the impact of mass media, the concept of presence in a contemporary multicultural context, and performance art as a reflection of the Zeitgeist (spirit of the times).
What is included in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents outlines the structure of the paper, including an introduction, chapters dedicated to performance art, Marina Abramović's life and work, a detailed description of "The Artist is Present," and a chapter analyzing the performance within the contemporary multicultural world. Each chapter is further subdivided into relevant sections.
What does the chapter on Performance Art cover?
This chapter traces the historical development of performance art, differentiating it from theater and highlighting its unique characteristics. It discusses the role of mass media in its dissemination and use as social and political commentary.
What is the purpose of the chapter on Marina Abramović?
This chapter provides biographical and artistic context for understanding Abramović's work, exploring her artistic motivations, techniques, and significant works leading up to "The Artist is Present."
How is "The Artist is Present" described in the document?
The chapter on "The Artist is Present" offers a detailed description of the performance at MoMA, analyzing the setup, duration, the artist's role, and the audience's sensory experience. It highlights the subtle dynamics and communication between the artist and participants.
What does the chapter on the Contemporary Multicultural World discuss?
This chapter explores the complexities of the contemporary multicultural world, including globalization, capitalism, and changing concepts of time and presence. It contextualizes Abramović's performance within this framework, connecting it to broader social and philosophical conversations.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Key words include: Performance art, Marina Abramović, The Artist is Present, contemporary art, multiculturalism, globalization, presence, time, humanity, mass media, Zeitgeist, and body art.
What is the overall objective of the paper?
The paper aims to analyze Marina Abramović's "The Artist is Present" performance within its historical and contemporary contexts, exploring its significance as a reflection of the complex and evolving meanings of time, presence, and humanity in a globalized world.
Where can I find the complete academic paper?
The provided text is a preview; the complete academic paper would need to be accessed through the publishing company or other academic resources.
- Quote paper
- Felicitas Aull (Author), 2010, The performance of the artist Marina Abramović in the MoMA – Museum of Modern Art, N.Y. as a mirror of zeitgeist, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/170532
