Marina Abramović and Todd Eckert Present Mixed Reality Performance 'The Life' in Pesaro

Marina Abramović and Todd Eckert's mixed reality project 'The Life' has arrived at the Centro Arti Visive Pescheria in Pesaro, as part of the city's celebrations as Italian Capital of Culture 2024. The project, which began in 2019 at the Serpentine Gallery in London, uses mixed reality technology to create a performance that transcends physical presence. Abramović's digital avatar performs despite her material absence, exploring themes of memory, nature, and technology. The exhibition features an original costume by Oana Botez and acoustic elements. On June 18, 2024, a conversation with Abramović and Eckert was held at Villa Imperiale, followed by a sold-out talk at Teatro Rossini, which filled all seats in 28 minutes with a significant number of young attendees. During the talk, they discussed performance and body, technology's role, art between past and future, humor, sex, shame, and what remains when an artist leaves. Abramović expressed ambivalence toward technology but embraced the project, while Eckert downplayed AI threats, emphasizing human value. Abramović warned that AI could be 'a disaster' if humanity does not return to simplicity. Daniele Vimini, President of Fondazione Pescheria, stated that the project represents the essence of the research leading to Pesaro 2024, creating a new space between real and virtual.