The Artist is Present by Marina Abramovic
The Artist Is Present, is an extended performance that aimed to extend the length of a performance beyond expected so as to alter our perception of time and foster a deeper engagement in the experience. Abramovic was seated silently across the table and the audience could sit in the performance to lock eyes with the artist. This performance lasted nearly over 3 months, for 8 hours each day. “She met the gaze of 1,000 strangers, many of whom were moved to tears.” (MoMa, 2010)
Subject: An intimate exchange with strangers
Form: Artist, physical space and interaction
Context: The disconnected society brought about by the rapid and instant gratification that technology provides
Content: A silent human interaction
Abramovic challenged the “socially accepted” measured time period of a performance art so as to engage the audience better. She also toyed with experienced time as this piece was deeply emotional thus making the experience for every individual personal and unique. For die-hard fans of hers, it was probably a time that flew by since they would be deeply enthralled to simply be in the presence of their idolised persona. For apathetic visitors, a single minute could have felt like an eternity as they would not have been emotionally invested in the performance. She is also known for pushing the limits of her biological clock, as seen in her often excruciatingly prolonged performances, for instance, Relation in Time.
XYZT by Adrien M and Claire B
With the use of light projection, graphics and sensor motion detectors, Adrien and Claire created an interactive installation that allows visitors to create or destroy their space and environment. The graphics react to the motion of these visitors, which then affect the space in immediate and reactionary ways. (Vice, 2016)
Subject: Motion-censored light show
Form: Light, Space, Motion
Content: Interactive light show
The interactive piece can be seen here: XYZT – 2015
The couple manipulates experienced time by engaging the audience in an immersive light show thereby, making the measured time spent at the exhibition feel shorter than it would.
Evaluation of both artworks: Both artists manipulate measured time in their exhibition through experienced time. However, Abramovic lets into the different possibilities of experienced time more than Adrien and Claire since Abramovic allows the visitors to have full autonomy over their experience while Adrien and Claire deliberately construct an experience that visitors should go through; to be enthralled and engaged in the light show.
