Verunka's Voice

(Photo courtesy of: © 2010 Scott Rudd www.scottruddphotography.com)

Marina Abramovic.

She is amazing.

I have never been a fan of performance artists in general because I always felt that people were trying too hard and it never came from a genuine place and they were just there to shock you.
My friend, Phyllis Chen, introduced me to Marina and I am now sold. I have learned that in any type of performance, if it comes from a genuine place, beautiful things can be created. Also, if they want to shock you and it comes from a genuine place, then you are more intrigued than shocked.

A few weeks ago I had the wonderful opportunity to see Marina Abramovic at MoMA. In The Artist is Present exhibit.

In the exhibit she sits in a long, red dress in a chair across the table from a random audience member (that has waited in line for this gift). I went with my friend, Phyllis Chen. Phyllis and I are both very sensitive with energies and we were in heaven watching everything unfold in front of us.

First of all, if you do not know who you are, it will be very clear when you sit in front of Marina. Also, if you really pay attention you can see who is an energy giver, taker or completely oblivious to it all. Marina became a mirror as each person sat down.

I knew who each person was based on her (often subtle) reactions or shifts in energy.

There were the 80′s style teenagers that were still searching for who they were, sitting in front of a woman that had to constantly fight for and therefore knew who she was (which can be extremely intimidating). I am not sure how I would have done at that age, sitting in front of Marina. I can only imagine the fear…actually, I would still be very scared to do it today.

There were so many different types of people that sat in front of her. It was amazing to see the turn out and huge range. There was one woman who was a biker chick. She was definitely tough and you could see that she had a rough life. She held it together for a long time and afterward, she was shaking and started to cry. I really feel that it is a mirror and everything that you have locked away suddenly shows it’s face (if you are open).

Also, there are the energy takers, they take as much as they can from her and she cannot turn away and can only give to those in need. That is art in itself. Many people were re-visiting this exhibit(many times) and I saw her take a deep breath on one gentleman before they started(after she glanced up and saw who he was). It was a long journey in this sitting and she was so giving. He did not get up until the journey was finished. They both were crying.

Afterward, there was a sweet woman that sat in her seat and had so much brightness in her face and was so giving. She reminded me of the kind of woman that would be excited to work in her garden or just sit and watch people on a summer day. I was so happy that the woman gave Marina a break. It has to be hard sitting there for hours on end like Marina does, I am in awe of her.

No matter who sat in front of her, it was always interesting. Whether it was Marina’s reaction or watching their reaction afterward. It made me curious as to how it would feel and maybe even curious enough to take a seat on that chair across from her. Maybe.

Watching Marina’s various performance pieces being re-performed at MoMA was exciting but replicating the soul and the life of Marina is a tough sell. Some were pretty good but most of the time, that fire way missing in their eyes. I have to admit, I would not be able to pull it off to say the least!

Much of her art deals with nudity and I have always been extremely uncomfortable with that. The weird thing is that I actually was not uncomfortable with her exhibits because the way she expressed it. With her, nudity just was, nudity. No pervert focus, just something we happen to be under our clothes – naked. Will I be performing exhibits in the nude anytime soon? No. But I respect the way Marina has done it.

Going to Marina’s exhibit, Marina showed me that I really need to dig deep to really grow into a true performer. In my field, I have to sing, act and express what has been written before me. Marina, can just sit there, not speak and express so much MORE and manage to intimidate the whole room with her artistry. I really admire her for that.

I am constantly searching for ways of becoming a better performer and person. I feel like both of those (most of the time) are intertwined. Marina, knows how to be. Maybe it is time that has made her get to this zen point? Maybe it is years of fighting to be heard that made her really KNOW who she is? I have no idea but she makes me want to be a better performer in her presence and it stays with me even after I walk out the doors of the museum.

Brava Marina Abramovic.

The exhibit is going on until May 31st. I may be brave enough to sit in that chair. I may not.

We will see.

I will see how I feel when I get there.

Here is some of her work:

Video of her sitting at MoMA.
Some video of her work(*there is nudity in this video).
Marina Abramovic.

Here is a review of her exhibit:
The Artist is Present Review.

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