The Artist Has Left The Building

The Marina Abramović retrospective has now officially ended, with all of the prolific performance artist's pieces—the naked strangers, the skeleton draped over flesh—taking their leave of MoMA, along with the artist herself. We already heard about some of the closing day craziness, but photographer Jim Kiernan was on hand and provided us with some more inside info (and illegal photographs!).

Yesterday, the final day, there was a time limit to sit with Abramović, limiting visitors to just 10 minutes of face-to-face action. On top of the puker, the nude, and the person who dropped a leaflet titled "The Artist Is Putrescent," superfan Paco Blancas was also on hand, as was Lauren Hutton. Rumor has it they weren't giving special VIP treatment to famous faces yesterday—though they have in the past.

Some more rumor-mongering: Kiernan tells us that Lady Gaga wanted to cut the line but wasn't allowed when she visited in early May. (Maybe Marina's not a fan?) And about that bathroom mystery: we're told that she used a catheter throughout the run.

So, are you so over this robed lady or are you going to be crying Paco Blancas-style now that she's departed?

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By Jen Carlson in Arts and Events on June 1, 2010 1:21 PM

Comments [rss]

nycandre

@El Izzy - well it is the intention/ purpose that counts - judging from the reactions of some of the sitters, it wasn't narcissism

Not denying that Marina has used her naked body extensively- to me a welcome departure from using sex to sell .. cars. And actually when seen directly in person, I'd venture to say the sexuality is more a function of the viewer than the performer.

It is a little bit disappointing that so few writers have tried to write anything 'deep' about the performance. Well, not completely true, both Marina herself, and some artists have done so. Altho not a fan initially I got interested in figuring it all out, so collected some information, images (yes, some nudes) and comments on my flickr page - feel free to add comments there too http://www.flickr.com/photos/nycandre/4635624515/

El Izzy

Performance art is mostly narcissism, and this is the epitome of it: look at me, look at me.

You know it has no cultural worth when Lady Gaga is attending.