Marina Abramović and her cultural connection with China

In the contemporary art world, the name Marina Abramović is synonymous with pioneering performance art. Her works not only challenge traditional artistic boundaries but were also at the forefront of a wave of performance art.

Looking back on Abramović's artistic career, we find many of her significant early works, such as "Rhythm 0" (1974) and "Rhythm 5" (1974). These pieces blended the concepts of reality, endurance with empathy, planning with loss of control, passivity with danger, becoming classics in the field of performance art. As a pioneer, Abramović has garnered widespread acclaim, establishing herself as one of the most renowned artists on the international scene today.

Abramović's connection with China began in the early 1980s when she and her former partner Ulay completed the performance art piece "The Lovers, The Great Wall Walk" (1988). This iconic work not only served as an artistic endeavor but also marked the end of their romantic relationship, leaving behind an unforgettable artistic documentation.

Starting from the coastal and desert endpoints of the Great Wall, Abramović and Ulay each walked towards the other, meeting halfway. This artistic act was not just a journey through history but also a contemplation on love, separation, time, and space.

In 2023, Abramović held her first solo exhibition in China at the Lisson Gallery Shanghai. The exhibition showcased not only her performance art but also other works including photography, objects, and video pieces, displaying the diversity of her creative output to Chinese audiences. Through this exhibition, she hoped to provide Chinese audiences with a clearer understanding of her 55-year-long artistic journey and profound connection with the land of China.

In Abramović's artistic realm, China is not just a place of creation but also a wellspring of inspiration filled with history, culture, and emotions.