Abramovic at the RA
Largely a performance artist, Abramovic has worked in a variety of media and there were photos, videos and sculpture on display in a beautifully curated show.
Although my inspiration comes mainly from music, there are visual artists who create a spark. Earlier this year, I visited the Vermeer exhibition in Amsterdam: a very different event to this year's celebration of Marina Abramovic's work, this, too, was stunning.
Abramovic became an abstract artist in the 1960s and 70s, although formally trained in an academic style. Her physical performance art has attracted headlines and she constantly challenges perceptions. Although previously aware of her work, I had never seen so much in one place. Particularly interesting was the use of younger performance artists, often nude, recreating the roles played originally by Abramovic herself and her artistic collaborator, Ulay (Frank Uwe Laysiepen).
One of the most interesting videos was the representation of Abramovic and Ulay's The Lovers, The Great Wall Walk. The moment the two met in the middle of the Great Wall of China (each started a trek at either end of the wall) was deeply moving, particularly as it had originally been planned to be the moment of their marriage but was, in fact, the end of their personal and creative relationship.
Inspiration can come from many places and result in many outcomes: the RA has today provided me with something of a creative energy boost. The exhibition only runs for a little more than a week through to the end of 2023 - see it if you can.
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