Marina Abramović and Ulay's 12-Year Love and Art Story in Ljubljana Exhibition
Cukrarna Gallery in Ljubljana is hosting the exhibition 'ART VITAL. 12 years of Ulay / Marina Abramović,' which explores the relationship between Ulay (1943–2020) and Marina Abramović (born 1946) from 1976 to 1988. Curated by Alenka Gregorič and Felicitas Thun-Hohenstein, it commenced on November 30, coinciding with their shared birthday. The exhibit features video footage, archival documents, memorabilia, and various installations. Ulay and Abramović first met on November 30, 1976, in Amsterdam, where they traveled in a Citroën van and participated in events such as the Biennale de Paris. Notable performances highlighted include 'Relation in Time' and 'The Lovers, Great Wall Walk.' After a period of legal conflicts, reconciliation was facilitated by Ulay's widow. The exhibition will be on display until May 3, 2026.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'ART VITAL. 12 years of Ulay / Marina Abramović' at Cukrarna Gallery, Ljubljana
- Opened November 30, 2025, on the shared birthday of Ulay and Abramović
- Curated by Alenka Gregorič and Felicitas Thun-Hohenstein
- Covers the period 1976–1988 of their artistic and romantic relationship
- Features the original Citroën van used by the couple
- Includes performances: Relation in Time, Relation in Space, Interruption in Space, The Lovers
- Abramovi paid Ulay €250,000 in 2016 after a legal dispute
- Reconciliation with Ulay's widow Lena Pislak; both appeared at the press conference
- Re-performances by Katarina Stegnar and Primoz Bezjak from December 9 to February 22
- Ulay died in Ljubljana in 2020, buried in Piran; Abramović visited his grave in 2024
- Exhibition runs until May 3, 2026
Entities
Artists
- Marina Abramović
- Ulay (Frank Uwe Laysiepen)
- Katarina Stegnar
- Primoz Bezjak
- Alenka Gregorič
- Felicitas Thun-Hohenstein
- Lena Pislak
- Dario Bragaglia
Institutions
- Cukrarna Gallery
- Galerie de Appel
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Vienna
- Biennale di Parigi
- Artribune
Locations
- Ljubljana
- Slovenia
- Solingen
- Belgrade
- Serbia
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- Bologna
- Italy
- Venice
- Düsseldorf
- Germany
- Great Wall of China
- China
- Piran
- Adriatic Sea