The (Artist) Is Present...

Most people recognize my interest in celebrity gossip magazines as a source of creative inspiration.  There is something wildly absurd about the (American) public's fascination will all things celebrity.  It is not enough to see these people (actors, singers, socialites, reality stars, celebrity tots, directors, etc.) fulfilling their respective crafts- we want to get a glimpse into the life that connects most directly with our own: Body image insecurities, the trials of love and romance, the building of family, diets gone awry...  As usual, I mine my own obsessions for art material, and after seeing Marina Abramovic's 'The Artist Is Present' at MoMA today, I have a discovered a way to comment and participate in the space she has created.  All accounts bill her performance as an endurance test.  The museum estimates that, if she can stick to the plan, she will sit silent for 716 hours and 30 minutes, performing during open hours, clothed in a heavy monochromatic gown (the colors vary) and arranged opposite and empty chair which can be occupied by any patron willing to wait their turn.

I decided that it is my turn.  But I will not attempt to mimic her stillness, or her costumed transcendent solitude. That just wouldn't be me.  I plan to read her a tabloid magazine, providing my usual commentary along the way, of course.  She mentioned, during her talk, just before the performance opened, that she would not access email or the internet in general- so it seems likely that she has not been updated on the most recent plastic surgeries of Heidi Montag or the train wreck saga of Kate Plus Eight.  I am accepting the responsibility of informing her about these, and other frivolous tidbits of our pop culture consciousnesses.

I just hope she can endure.

Hope to see you there: Friday May 7th 10:30am, MoMa