Marina Abramović's 'Balkan Erotic Epic' Opens at Gropius Bau Berlin, Addressing Sexuality and Ritual

Marina Abramović presents 'Balkan Erotic Epic' at Gropius Bau Berlin, her first major solo exhibition in the city since the 1990s. The 79-year-old artist, who did not travel from the US due to health concerns, explores eroticism, communism, paganism, and Balkan folklore through new and old works. Abramović aims to encourage women to embrace sexual pleasure in later life, stating, 'If I can do it, you can too.' She references ancient rituals, such as women exposing their vaginas to gods to stop rain and save harvests. The exhibition includes performances where she carved a star into her stomach and lay in a burning installation until unconscious. Abramović describes this cycle as the most important and personal of her career, requiring emotional distance from her Balkan heritage. She reflects on her youth, suffering, and body image, noting that performing nude liberated her. The artist criticizes younger generations for fearing attachment and touch. The show also features a separate market report: Lubin Baugin's 'Stillleben mit Financiers' sold for €440,000 at Vichy Enchères on August 16, 2025, setting a record. Peter Halley's 'Dada Ji' is expected to fetch over €140,000 at the PIN benefit auction on November 15. A Hasselblad HK 7 camera from 1941 sold for €32,000 at Breker auction house on September 13.