Photo: Panos Kokkinias
Marina Abramović is currently showing a series of documentary photographs at the Sean Kelly Gallery booth at Art Basel in Hong Kong, but it sounds like the famed performer is simultaneously gunning for a solo show in mainland China for 2017.
The Art Newspaper reports that Abramović will show at the Power Station of Art (PSA) in Shanghai, provided, according to a curator for the institution, they are able to obtain proper funding. It would be Abramović’s first major solo show in China. PSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Marina Abramovic Lovers (Star) (DATE)
Image: Courtesy of Sean Kelly Gallery
Should the show materialize, it will be further evidence of Abramović’s truly global appeal: last year, she exhibited in Australia at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Tasmania, and was also commissioned to work with Kaldor Public Art Projects in Sydney. Apparently, her presence caused quite the stir amidst Aussie art lovers.
“Marina is like the Beatles, except when Lennon was still alive,” MONA founder David Walsh told the Guardian.
Abramović’s dramatic photo series “The Lovers” documents the famous 1988 pilgrimage she made along the Great Wall of China with former partner Ulay. Initially, the pair planned to marry atop the wall, but instead used the piece as a way to dissolve their partnership. The photo series has received attention at this year’s edition of Art Basel, topping several “best booth” lists, and would certainly make a fitting addition to the PSA exhibition as well.