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In the Studio with Marina Abramović

The iconic performance artist Marina Abramović reflects on the power of long durational work, forming the Marina Abramović Institute and creating her most ambitious work yet in Balkan Erotic Epic in this exclusive interview

Citing how her work isn’t restrained to the studio, Marina Abramović reflects on a lifetime of bringing her radical ideas to the forefront of the art world. From The House With Ocean View to The Artist Is Present, Abramović discusses the process behind her long durational performance pieces, and how her performance work led to her forming the Marina Abramović Institute – teaching a new generation of artists, and people from all walks of life, the art of being present. 

Turning to her latest work, Balkan Erotic Epic, Abramović reveals that the show was originally conceived for the stage but inspired by seeing the vast scale of the Warehouse at Aviva Studios, she decided to create a version where the 13 scenes unfold around the audience at the same time.

Citing it as her most ambitious work of her career, Balkan Erotic Epic premiered at Aviva Studios in October 2025 and tours internationally in 2026.

Thumbnail image: Marco Anelli

Archive image credits


Marina Abramović: Rhythm 0
Performance
6 hours
Studio Morra, Naples
1974
© Marina Abramović
Courtesy of the Marina Abramović Archives

Ulay / Marina Abramović: Rest Energy
Performance for Video
4 minutes
ROSC' 80, Dublin
1980
© Ulay / Marina Abramović
Courtesy of the Marina Abramović Archives

Marina Abramović / Ulay: Nightsea Crossing
Performance
Various Locations
1981 - 1986
© Marina Abramović / Ulay
Courtesy of the Marina Abramović Archives

Marina Abramović: The House with the Ocean View
Performance
12 Days
Sean Kelly Gallery, New York
2002
Photos by Steven P. Harris and Attilio Maranzano
Courtesy of the Marina Abramović Archives

Marina Abramović: The Artist is Present 
Performance
3 months
The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY
2010
Ph: Marco Anelli
Courtesy of the Marina Abramović Archives

Ulay / Marina Abramović: Expansion in Space
Performance
32 minutes
Documenta 6, Kassel
1977
© Ulay / Marina Abramović
Courtesy of the Marina Abramović Archives

Ulay / Marina Abramović: Relation in Movement
Performance
16 hours
10th Biennale de Paris, Museé d’art moderne de la ville de Paris, France
1977
© Ulay / Marina Abramović 
Courtesy of the Marina Abramović Archives

Marina Abramović / Ulay: The Lovers
Performance
90 days
The Great Wall of China
March-June, 1988
© Marina Abramović and Ulay
Courtesy of the Marina Abramović Archives

Balkan Erotic Epic film work directed by Nabil Elderkin. For full Balkan Erotic Epic credits, see our credits page.

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