Marina Abramović's THE BUS Arrives at University of Zurich for Month-Long Meditation Project

A converted vintage school bus, transformed by Marina Abramović and the Marina Abramović Institute (MAI) into a mobile sculpture and meditative space, has been parked behind the University of Zurich (UZH) main building since 27 August 2026. Curated by Mirjam Varadinis, Curator-at-large at Kunsthaus Zürich and founder of Mirjam Varadinis Art Agency, the project invites participants to board in darkness, guided to vintage seats by white-coated mediators. Abramović's voice announces "This bus is not going anywhere," and for thirty minutes the vehicle remains stationary while only passengers' perception shifts. The work extends Abramović's decades-long exploration of time and presence, drawing on the Abramović Method's exercises for body, mind, and awareness. Zurich previously hosted a major Abramović survey at Kunsthaus Zürich from 25 October 2024 to 16 February 2025, also curated by Varadinis, which featured the Decompression Chamber. THE BUS debuted in January 2026 at the World Economic Forum in Davos, stopped at Basel Social Club during Art Basel week, and reached Zurich on 27 August 2026. At UZH, it joins the Art x Science Office and a program of workshops on mindfulness, resilience, creative writing, and wellbeing open to all. The bus sits in an area linking the university, ETH Zurich, and the university hospital, frequented by students, researchers, medical staff, and patients. Free reservations are available online; THE BUS remains in Zurich until 27 September 2026.