The Modern Art Museum (MAM) Shanghai is set to host a groundbreaking exhibition by the internationally celebrated artist Marina Abramović. Titled “Marina Abramović: Transforming Energy,” this highly anticipated show marks Abramović’s first museum exhibition in China and will run from October 10, 2024, to February 28, 2025.
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“Transforming Energy” draws inspiration from one of Abramović’s most iconic performances, her 1988 walk across the Great Wall of China with German artist Ulay. This exhibition, curated by Shai Baitel, Artistic Director of MAM Shanghai, in collaboration with Abramović, features approximately 1,200 previously unseen photographs from this historic journey. Additionally, it includes a series of new artworks specifically created for this exhibition, offering a comprehensive view of Abramović’s innovative artistic journey.
Spanning three floors of MAM Shanghai, the exhibition will showcase a variety of works that actively engage the audience, encouraging participation. Central to the exhibition are pieces infused with crystals, which symbolize transformative energy for both the artist and viewers. The diverse collection includes Abramović’s renowned “Transitory Objects,” interactive sculptures that provoke self-reflection and exploration.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Marina Abramović said, “Nearly 40 years after Ulay and I walked 2,500 kilometers to meet in the middle of the Great Wall of China, I am excited to open ‘Transforming Energy’ at the Modern Art Museum (MAM) Shanghai. This exhibition, born from that experience, includes a new body of work and marks my return to China with great anticipation.”
Shai Baitel remarked, “Curating Marina Abramović’s show, which presents new transitory objects, is a thrilling endeavor. We invite the audience to immerse themselves and participate. Welcoming this preeminent artist back to China at MAM Shanghai with ‘Transforming Energy’ is both timely and significant.”
The exhibition aims to transcend physical boundaries, immersing visitors in Abramović’s creative world. The introductory floor provides insight into her background and her previous engagement with China, including the Great Wall walk. The second floor highlights her early participatory art, emphasizing bodily positioning and crystals, while the third floor features entirely new participatory works that showcase the enduring nature of her performance art methodology.
Abramović’s exploration of “Transitory Objects” is a central theme, inspired by Tibetan and Chinese medicine and their connections to different parts of the body. These interactive sculptures resonate with contemporary trends in Eastern medicine, spiritualism, and healing, addressing themes of inherited trauma and emotional restoration.
“Marina Abramović: Transforming Energy” at MAM Shanghai offers a unique opportunity to delve into the evolution of one of the most influential artists of our time. This exhibition celebrates Abramović’s prolific career and invites visitors to engage with profound questions about energy, humanity, and self-discovery through immersive and participatory art.
Read DSCENE Magazine’s exclusive interview with Marina Abramovic HERE.
