"GQ" celebrates performance artist Marina Abramović as a groundbreaking art figure
Marina Abramović, the internationally renowned performance artist, will soon be adding another accolade to her collection. "GQ Germany" has chosen her as the "Art Icon of the Year" at their "GQ Men of the Year" awards. The Condé Nast-published magazine announced this recognition in Munich on Monday, with the award ceremony set to take place at a gala in Berlin on November 30, coinciding with her 77th birthday.
According to the magazine, the award recognizes individuals who have inspired and achieved remarkable feats – often over an extended period. "Marina Abramović's art performances consistently push the boundaries of human interaction and emotion," said GQ editor-in-chief Tobias Frericks.
In response to her award, Abramović humorously mused, "A fashion magazine declared me Woman of the Year, and now I'm Man of the Year. I can be both!" She expresses little affinity for traditional notions of femininity, opting instead for strong, courageous Amazons over fragility and weakness.
Abramović is widely regarded as one of the most radical artists, regularly pushing herself to her psychological and physical limits in her performances. In 2022, she took on the first Pina Bausch guest professorship at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen. The Royal Academy of Arts in London is now showcasing an exhibition dedicated to her, featuring her career highlights until January 1, 2024.
Marina Abramović's innovative contributions to performance art have not gone unnoticed. Her career achievements– ranging from the Golden Lion Award at the Venice Biennale for "Balkan Baroque" to her collaborations with pop icons and the establishment of the Marina Abramović Institute – have truly solidified her position as a major figure in the art world.
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Marina Abramović's impact on performance art is undeniable. In 1997, she won the Golden Lion for best artist at the Venice Biennale, pushing the boundaries of video and live performance with "Balkan Baroque." Abramović's 2010 exhibit, "The Artist Is Present" at the MoMA, became a cultural phenomenon, allowing museum patrons to engage in silent gazes with her. The exhibition showcased her endurance, vulnerability, and the artist-audience interplay.
Furthermore, her 2010 MoMA retrospective featured reenactments of earlier works, introducing her art to a broader audience. Abramović has collaborated with well-known artists and pop icons like Jay Z, Lady Gaga, and James Franco. Her work has not only influenced the performance art genre but also reshaped artistic expression as a whole.
The retrospective at the Kunsthaus Zürich showcased iconic pieces such as "Imponderabilia," "Rhythm 0," and "Luminosity," as well as an interactive, newly commissioned work called "Decompression Chamber." Abramović's continued innovation, creativity, and impact on the art world have made her an ideal candidate for the "Art Icon" award by "GQ Germany."
