Martine Gutierrez's 'Lottery' Performance at Paris Photo Interrupted After Escalating Demands

Martine Gutierrez's recent exhibition 'Lottery' at Ryan Lee Gallery in Manhattan documents a provocative performance staged at Paris Photo last year. During the event, attendees were invited to 'dom' Gutierrez by issuing commands, which she would follow if they agreed to photograph her. The performance generated 755 photographs, though only 17 were selected for display alongside a video installation recreating the waiting line. Gutierrez, who describes herself as an enigma and shape-shifting artist, conceived the work while contemplating the role of the muse and what it requires. She cites influences from performance artists like Marina Abramović, Yoko Ono, Regina José Galindo, and Faith Ringgold, noting that performance thrives on personal engagement and the present moment. The event escalated quickly, with audience requests becoming increasingly demanding—including instructions to remove clothing, tie her up, and shave off an eyebrow. After approximately 60 minutes, security intervened over concerns for her well-being, cutting the performance short. Gutierrez reflects that the camera became a witness to the public's moral temptations, revealing more about the photographers than herself. She also mentions filmmaker Julio Torres, who frequently casts her, and discusses themes of power, submission, and the objectification of women. The exhibition features actual red blockades used in Paris, aiming to create an active, airport-like atmosphere in the gallery.