Artist and Audience Relationship in "The Artist is Present" from Marina Abramovic (PDF)

Seminar paper from the year 2019 in the subject Art - Installation / Action/Performance Art / Modern Art, grade: 1,0, University of Dusseldorf "Heinrich Heine" (Anglistik II), language: English, abstract: The paper focuses on the audience's participation in Abramovic's The Artist is Present. It will be analysed in terms of its constitution; further as to what extent the audience unknowingly plays in active role in simply being present. The central part of this paper is set on the relationship between artist and viewer. It will deal with how co-subjectivity, embodiment and presence, as well as the audience's suggestibility work together to create a unique form of community during the performance. An analytical basis for this closer examination will be provided through the 2012 published documentary by the same title Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present.

First, this paper will shortly discuss performativity, embodiment and presence, and will give definitions based on, primarily, Erika-Fischer Lichte's Ästhetik des Performativen, in order to establish a general understanding of key factors regarding performance art. Secondly, the most important aspects of Abramovic's performance will be presented. The relationship between artist and audience will be analysed and discussed according to the concerns given above. As a result, the unique character of the established community between artist and audience in this specific performance piece will be made clear. Ultimately, it will become apparent as to how the relationship between artist and audience is established through embodiment and presence.