MARINA ABRAMOVIC: HUMAN EXPERIMENTS

Marina Abramovic, a Yugoslav performance artist, who is also known as the “grandmother of performance art,” did a daring act when she stood as a puppet in front of public for six hours and let people do whatever they wanted to. The performance which is famously known as “Rhythm 0” was aimed at testing the relationship between performer and audience. But, it turned out to be a horrific experience for Abramovic as she felt raped.

During the performance which was conducted for six hours between 8 PM and 2 AM, Abramovic had placed 72 objects on a table and allowed people to use them on her body as desired. While some of the objects would give pleasure, other could be used to inflict pain. The objects included rose, feather, honey, a whip, olive oil, scissors, a scalpel, a blade, a gun and a single bullet. People were allowed to use this stuff on Abramovic’s body. She wanted to test how aggressive a human can turn into when free from social consequences. To her dismay, at the end of the Abramovic was undressed and groped. Her blouse was opened exposing her breasts. There were acts of violence and sexual harassment. There were cuts on her neck made by audience members, and her clothes were cut off her body. A man used razor to make a cut on neck. Blades were used to make cut on her clothes and body, her body was stripped and attacked from almost all corners.

In her own words, she explains that the performance showed them that how fast a person can hurt you under favorable circumstances and it also showed that how easy it is to dehumanize a person who does not fight and does not want to defend themself.

“This work reveals something terrible about humanity. It shows how fast a person can hurt you under favorable circumstances. It shows how easy it is to dehumanize a person who does not fight, who does not defend himself. It shows that if he provides the stage, the majority of ‘normal’ people, apparently can become truly violent,” said Abramovic.

http://skfeed.us/abramovic-experienced-peoples-violent-side-when-she-stood-still-for-6-hours-and-allowed-people-do-anything-to-her-body/