Artist Opens Up About Controversial Performance Piece With Fashion Designer: ‘It Wasn’t Easy’

Renowned Serbian performance artist Marina Abramović has never shied away from pushing the limits of what art can be—and her recent revelation proves she’s still challenging societal boundaries well into her 70s.

In a recent interview featured on the Massimo Dutti YouTube channel, Abramović, now 78, reflected on one of her more provocative collaborations involving fashion designer Riccardo Tisci. Known globally for her fearless exploration of vulnerability, body autonomy, and the interaction between artist and audience, Abramović shared the story behind a project titled Contract, which she described as an unconventional fusion of fashion and art.

Recounting the collaboration, she explained, “Riccardo said, ‘Let’s create something together.’ I told him, ‘If fashion constantly draws from the world of art, let’s make that visible. I will be the art—you’ll be the fashion.’” As part of this creative concept, she directed Tisci to engage with her body in a way that symbolized this union—an act that Abramović admitted was challenging but ultimately impactful. “It wasn’t easy,” she said. “But it made a bold statement.”

Abramović has long been recognized for creating performances that test the boundaries of human emotion, control, and audience participation. One of her most infamous works, Rhythm 0, took place in 1974 at Galleria Studio Mora in Naples, Italy. In that performance, she stood still for six hours while the public was invited to interact with her using any of 72 objects placed on a table nearby.

Those items ranged from harmless feathers and flowers to scissors, knives, and even a loaded firearm. The responses from the audience were wide-ranging—some participants were gentle and affectionate, while others became disturbingly aggressive. At one point, a spectator held the gun to her head, forcing others in the crowd to intervene and bring the piece to an abrupt end.

In a 2014 interview with The Guardian, Abramović recalled her mindset going into Rhythm 0. “I had a loaded pistol,” she said. “I was mentally ready to die that night.” Despite the harrowing nature of the performance, she expressed gratitude for having survived the experience. “I’m lucky to still be here to talk about it,” she added.

Throughout her career, Abramović has remained a polarizing figure in the art world, praised by some for her fearless expression and questioned by others for her extreme methods. Still, her work continues to provoke thought, stir emotion, and redefine what performance art can be.