• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Artist who was 'ready to die' after allowing spectators to do anything to her for six hours explains why she did it

Home> Community> Life

Updated 07:56 12 May 2025 GMT+1Published 13:17 8 Oct 2024 GMT+1

Artist who was 'ready to die' after allowing spectators to do anything to her for six hours explains why she did it

Marina Abramovic was 'ready to die' after allowing spectators to do anything to her for six hours

Callum Jones

Callum Jones

An artist who accepted she was 'ready to die' after allowing spectators to do anything they liked to her for six hours has explained the mad reasoning behind it.

Back in 1974, Marina Abramovic allowed the public free rain of her body for six hours in a controversial art piece.

Spectators involved were provided with 72 objects they could 'use' on the artist as they desired.

No matter what they did, Abramovic said she would take 'full responsibility'.

Advert

While some of the items were less harmful such as an apple and perfume, more damaging items like razors and knives were also included.

The artist was 'ready to die' (Claudio Lavenia/Getty Images)
The artist was 'ready to die' (Claudio Lavenia/Getty Images)

Spectators were tame at first, but events shortly took a sinister turn as a knife was stuck between the artist's legs half-way through the experiment.

One individual reportedly cut her neck to drink her blood, while another showcased the other side of humanity by wiping away her tears and trying to intervene.

Advert

As the shocking artist's performance has been talked about a lot in recent times, everyone is asking the same question... why would Abramovic do it?

Well, speaking with The Museum of Modern Art, Abramovic revealed the controversial piece was a response to criticism artists were getting in the 1970s.

Back then, artists were continuing to push boundaries and create incredible pieces of art.

However, the rise of performance artists was not liked by some of the public, so Abramovic thought she'd prove a point.

Advert

She said: "In the beginning, the public was really very much playing with me. Later on, it became more and more aggressive.

"It was six hours of real horror. They would cut my clothes. They will cut me with a knife, close to my neck, and drink my blood, and then put the plaster over the wound."

One person cut the artist (Marina Abramović Institute/YouTube)
One person cut the artist (Marina Abramović Institute/YouTube)

The artist continued: "They will carry me around, half-naked, put me on the table, and stuck the knife between my legs into the wood."

Advert

Abramovic also reflected on the performance on the Marina Abramovic Institute YouTube channel, dubbing the piece as 'really difficult'. Surely the understatement of the century.

"The experience I drew from this piece was that in your own performances you can go very far, but if you leave decisions to the public, you can be killed," she said.

In a separate interview with the Guardian, Abramovic admitted she was 'ready to die'.

Featured Image Credit: Darren Gerrish/WireImage for Serpentine Gallery via Getty/Marina Abramović Institute/YouTube

Topics: Art, Marina Abramović

Callum Jones
Callum Jones

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

14 hours ago
17 hours ago
a day ago
  • 14 hours ago

    Man who paid $120 for a 'professional cuddler' reveals why it's not sexual

    The man opened up about his experience on Reddit after feeling 'terrified' beforehand

    Community
  • 17 hours ago

    The Halo Effect explained as people share the ways it makes their lives easier

    It turns out that attractiveness can be a double-edged sword, though...

    Community
  • a day ago

    Simple gesture made by quick-thinking couple 'saved many lives' as flash floods tore through campground

    Lyle and Sue Glenna were caught up in the Texas flash floods over the weekend

    Community
  • a day ago

    Woman details horrifying moment shark bit through her leg in back-to-back attack leaving her ‘bone exposed’

    Officials warned the public that such shark attacks are 'a very rare occurrence'

    Community
  • Artist who was 'ready to die' after allowing spectators to do anything to her for six hours shares the key thing she learned
  • Artist who was 'ready to die' after allowing people to do anything to her for hours explains why she does such extreme performances
  • Artist who was 'ready to die' after allowing people to do anything to her for six hours took part in another extreme act
  • Artist who was 'ready to die' after allowing people to do anything to her for six hours reveals its long-lasting effects