World Pulse

join-banner-text

Do not give people more freedom than it's worth !



Activists trading social networks this story:



To test the limits of the relationship between performer and audience, Abramović developed one of her most challenging (and best-known) performances. She assigned a passive role to herself, with the public being the force which would act on her.



Abramović had placed upon a table 72 objects that people were allowed to use (a sign informed them) in any way that they chose. Some of these were objects that could give pleasure, while others could be wielded to inflict pain, or to harm her. Among them were a rose, a feather, honey, a whip, scissors, a scalpel, a gun and a single bullet. For six hours the artist allowed the audience members to manipulate her body and actions.



Initially, members of the audience reacted with caution and modesty, but as time passed (and the artist remained passive) people began to act more aggressively. As Abramović described it later:



“What I learned was that... if you leave it up to the audience, they can kill you.” ... “I felt really violated: they cut up my clothes, stuck rose thorns in my stomach, one person aimed the gun at my head, and another took it away. It created an aggressive atmosphere. After exactly 6 hours, as planned, I stood up and started walking toward the audience. Everyone ran away, to escape an actual confrontation.



This is what compels us to recognize always that the power needed to force and freedom can not give an absolute unchecked or law regulated that our freedom personal stand at the borders of the others I hope to understand human freedom before unclaimed and marching for it and cut roads and kill innocent people ...

      • Africa
      Like this story?
      Join World Pulse now to read more inspiring stories and connect with women speaking out across the globe!
      Leave a supportive comment to encourage this author
      Tell your own story
      Explore more stories on topics you care about