Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present

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Marina Abramović. Rhythm 5. 1973-74/2010

(Yugoslav, born 1946)
Rhythm 10, 5, 2, 4. 1973-74/2010.
Digital slides (black and white, silent)
Duration variable
Courtesy the artist and Sean Kelly Gallery

MARINA ABRAMOVIĆ: Rhythm 5 was about ritualization of the Communist five point star burning my hair, burning my nails.

I had almost a serious accident because the fire took all the air, and when I was lying I lost consciousness. And there was a doctor in the audience see that the small pieces of burning wood was falling on my neck and feet and I didn't react.

So they took me out and then in that way interrupt the piece. And after Rhythm 5 I was so enormously mad that there is a limit with performance and when you lose consciousness performance is not happening.