The Artist Is Present, 2010. Performance with three-channel video installation; 3 Months. The Museum of Modern Art, New YorK
This piece was performed at The Museum of Modern Art in front of a vast, ever changing audience where spectators where given the chance to enter the performance space and sit opposite Abramović. The performance involved Abramović sitting in a chair for the duration of her exhibition of work being open: she would sit from opening (9.30) until closing (17.00) on the 9th of March 2010 until the 31st of May 2010, where the spectators would be given permission to sit with her. Once entering the square space, the spectator becomes involved in a different performance to what the other onlookers see and feel. Abramović performs for every individual that comes to sit down, she bows her head, closers her eyes and prepares for the next performer-spectator. In the film The Artist is Present each performance is individual for the one audience member, Abramović is said to“ Reconnect, it is only for you. Everyone would like a clean, unique contact with Marina” ( Akers, 2012)
I extremely like the concept that the performer can have one effect on a specific member of the audience (the performer-spectator), as well as the surrounding audience in the museum.
