Marina Abramović and Ulay: A Shared Birthday and Legendary Performances
On November 30, both Marina Abramović (born in Belgrade, 1946) and Ulay (born in Solingen, 1943), the famous artistic duo, celebrate their birthdays. Their partnership produced landmark performances, including Rhythm 0 (1975) in Naples, where Abramović allowed audience members to act upon her, and Thomas Lips, where she first encountered Ulay. They showcased Relation in Space at the Venice Biennale in 1976 and Imponderabilia in 1977, which was interrupted by police. In Rest Energy (1980), Abramović held a bow while Ulay aimed an arrow at her heart. Their final performance, The Lovers, involved traversing the Great Wall of China. Abramović received the Golden Lion in 1997 for Balkan Baroque, and during her 2010 MoMA exhibit, Ulay made a memorable surprise appearance. Ulay later filed a copyright infringement lawsuit, which concluded with a $250,000 settlement.
Key facts
- Marina Abramović and Ulay both born on November 30 (1946 and 1943 respectively).
- Rhythm 0 performed in 1975 at Studio Morra, Naples; visitors used weapons on the artist.
- Thomas Lips performed in 1975 at Galerie Krinzinger, Innsbruck; Abramović met Ulay there.
- Relation in Space debuted at the 1976 Venice Biennale, inspired by Newton's cradle.
- Imponderabilia (1977) at Galleria Comunale d'Arte Moderna, Bologna; stopped by police after three hours.
- Rest Energy (1980) at National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin; arrow pointed at Abramović's heart.
- The Lovers: farewell performance walking the Great Wall of China from opposite ends.
- Balkan Baroque won Golden Lion at 1997 Venice Biennale; Abramović cleaned cow bones.
- The Artist is Present (2010) at MoMA New York; Ulay's surprise visit; later lawsuit for $250,000.
Entities
Artists
- Marina Abramović
- Ulay
- Ulay (Frank Uwe Laysiepen)
- Katarina Stegnar
- Primoz Bezjak
- Alenka Gregorič
- Felicitas Thun-Hohenstein
- Lena Pislak
- Dario Bragaglia
Institutions
- Studio Morra
- Galerie Krinzinger
- Biennale d'Arte di Venezia
- Galleria Comunale d'Arte Moderna
- National Gallery of Ireland
- MoMA New York
- Artribune
- Cukrarna Gallery
- Galerie de Appel
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Vienna
- Biennale di Parigi
Locations
- Belgrade
- Serbia
- Solingen
- Germany
- Naples
- Italy
- Innsbruck
- Austria
- Venice
- Bologna
- Dublin
- Ireland
- New York
- United States
- Great Wall of China
- China
- Ljubljana
- Slovenia
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- Düsseldorf
- Piran
- Adriatic Sea