I was moved to tears last night while watching this moment between the artist Marina Abramovic and her former love Ulay. Apparently they started an intense love story in the 70s and when they felt the relationship had run its course, they decided to walk the Great Wall of China, each from one end, meeting for one last big hug in the middle and never seeing each other again.
During her 2010 MoMA retrospective Ulay arrived without her knowing and this is what happened. Really moving.
(via Zen Garage)
FYI – this is edited footage from The Artist is Present, an HBO documentary, available on iTunes, etc. There’s another version of this scene, which I find even more touching and which I think is pulled directly from the doc, that has more of a lead up with Ulay. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XNcWRbh8wQA
Mar 29th, 2013 / 12:43 pm
I can really recommend watching the full documentary. Not only is there a short introduction to their lovestory right before the scene above (like Mike said) but Marina is also an amazing artist/person.
Mar 29th, 2013 / 2:05 pm
In our times, feelings like this become normaly a touch of calculation – we are no longer disposed to let it happen deaply and to take it as this thing, it is: Life. The deeper sense of living.
Knowing her (hi-)story, this scene becomes a touch of an outstanding happening:
Art? Life? Conducted scene
In any case in our reactions just simple the power of love – and forgiveness for a missunderstanding end; a résumé in peace.
We all are in our feelings beautiful. And unique.
Mar 29th, 2013 / 3:19 pm
This is the famous DORIAN GRAY story by Oscar Wilde – live!
Back then with a picture.
Nowadays with a little (big) help from my friendly doc.
Mar 30th, 2013 / 2:12 pm
Thank you for sharing I just watched the video and it is quite emotional
Mar 31st, 2013 / 10:43 am
I second the suggestion to watch the complete documentary. This clip, out of context, does seem quite romantic, but there’s a bit more to the story of their relationship.
Apr 2nd, 2013 / 4:27 pm
This is the famous DORIAN GRAY story by Oscar Wilde – live!
Apr 4th, 2013 / 7:17 am
How sweet. Thank you for sharing!
Apr 4th, 2013 / 3:59 pm
Please see the documentary in it’s entirely. Unfortunately the background information provided is incorrect.
Apr 8th, 2013 / 1:25 am
Ok, I was initially emotionally spellbound by this reunion as I could envision all their unspoken thoughts…”how could you…oh well…I loved you…it’s in the past…hey it’s you!…wow, you look great…it’s been a long time…not much we can do now…you hurt me”…and so on.
If you view various interviews and well as scrutinize the setting you will realize it was planned. Historically they had done sitting/facing performances together in the 80’s with him leaving early because he hated sitting so long. For them to meet again this way was symbolic. Later days of the show, she got rid of the table. However having the table for her meeting with him echoed their previous performance, “Nightsea Crossing.”
Also this meeting occurred on the first day of her performance. He is wearing the opposite colors as her. And they spoke briefly before the show opened that morning. She knew he would sit with her that day.
Finally they are performance artists. How much of their gestures are for the audience’s sake?
Jun 2nd, 2013 / 12:30 am
What a beautiful story! I can’t help but wonder what happened after they seen each other since they broke up?? I’m dying to k ow! Did they meet up after the exibit? Are they friends now? Lovers? Anyone know???
Jun 6th, 2015 / 7:38 pm