She is one of the most important representatives of the body art movement: Who is Marina Abramović?

We examined the life of world-famous performance artist Marina Abramović, her most important performances, and little-known facts about her.

Marina Abramović is an artist of Serbian origin who is considered one of the pioneers of contemporary art. Born on November 30, 1946, Abramović has pushed the boundaries of performance art throughout her artistic career and established a unique interaction with audiences. Abramović, who aims to express her art using her body and mental state, is known for provocative and emotional works that often transcend boundaries.

Marina Abramović (born November 30, 1946) is a Serbian conceptual and performance artist. Her work explores body art, endurance art, the relationship between the performer and audience, the limits of the body, and the possibilities of the mind. Being active for over four decades, Abramović refers to herself as the "grandmother of performance art". She pioneered a new notion of identity by bringing in the participation of observers, focusing on "confronting pain, blood, and physical limits of the body". In 2007, she founded the Marina Abramović Institute (MAI), a non-profit foundation for performance art.

Marina Abramović was born and raised in Belgrade. She was interested in art from a young age and studied painting and ceramics at the Belgrade Academy of Arts. During this period, she began to question traditional art disciplines and discover the potential of the body. In the 1970s, she turned to performance art and began to use her body as her most important tool. One of the most important turning points in Abramović's life was her meeting with the artist Ulay (Frank Uwe Laysiepen). The two formed a unique relationship where art and romance intersect. Their performances together offered unforgettable experiences to the audience by integrating their bodies and relationships into their art. Throughout Abramović's artistic life, her effort to reflect her personal experiences and relationships in her works has always played a prominent role.

Educational Life of Marina Abramović

Marina Abramović learned basic art disciplines with the education she received at the Belgrade Academy of Arts. However, she later expanded her traditional education in a different direction by devoting herself to the discovery of performance art. Her academic experience formed the basis of her understanding of art. While Abramović sought ways to directly express meaning and experience using the body and movement, she also discovered ways to highlight the body's resilience and frailty.

Marina Abramović's Concept of Art

Marina Abramović is one of the pioneers of existential art. Her understanding of art emphasizes the use of the body as an experienced tool. By revealing the body, it establishes an emotional and physical connection with the audience, making them a part of the work. While trying to understand the impact of time, she focuses on establishing an inner connection with her audience. She delves deep into the human experience by exploring the limits and weaknesses of the body.

Little Known Facts About Marina Abramović

Marina Abramović took part in the closing ceremony of the 1988 Summer Olympics and carried the Olympic torch.

In 2012, a retrospective exhibition was held at MoMA to revive the performance "The Artist is Present".

The artist established a charity organization called "White Table" and drew attention to how art can be used in aid and humanitarian work. This organization stands out as an example of how art can be a powerful tool to draw attention to and help social problems.

Marina Abramović used her own blood as paint while painting with her mother at a young age. This form of personal and physical expression reflects the creative spirit of the artist, known for her experimental approaches and expanding the boundaries of art.

January 2024

Marina Abramovic's 'Longevity Method'

Marina Abramović, 77, introduces her longevity-focused health and wellness brand by recounting her battle with Lyme disease that inspired her. The products include a skin cleanser/moisturizer blend that contains white bread and white wine to replenish essential nutrients in the skin, as well as skin-brightening and moisturizing ingredients. It contains vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to deeply moisturize.

The anti-allergy drops are formulated with shilajit, a mineral found in the Himalayas and used in Ayurvedic medicine to soothe allergic reactions. It contains immunity, metabolism-accelerating drops, red pepper, and fresh garlic that increase the power to fight infections.

The energy drop is made with antioxidants such as cranberry juice. Marina Abramović designed this product series for Longevity Method together with Dr. Nonna Brenner, the famous doctor, and founder of the wellness center in Fuschl am See, Austria.

“I'm a workaholic – I work like crazy – and if it wasn't for Nonna to balance my energy, believe me, I wouldn't be able to do what I do,” says Marina Abramovic.