Aspen Peak - Niche Media - Aspen living at its peak
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/129660
ART FULL Caption will go here tk. Marina Abramovi with a model of the Marina Abramovi Institute for the Preservation of Performance Art, designed by Rem Koolhaas. BELOW: Abramovi's Portrait with Firewood, 2009. talent show WORLD-RENOWNED CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS MARINA ABRAMOVIĆ AND TERESITA FERNÁNDEZ SHARE THEIR CREATIVE PROWESS WITH ASPEN THIS SUMMER. BY SUE HOSTETLER V isiting the valley between May and September is reminiscent of that line from The Great Gatsby: "… that familiar conviction that life [is] beginning over again with the summer." One of the highlights of summertime in Aspen is always the art scene, whether it's seeing the newest, most cutting-edge exhibition at the Aspen Art Museum or taking a class from a world-famous artist at the Anderson Ranch Arts Center. In July we welcome two contemporary art icons, the Serbian "grandmother of performance art," Marina Abramovi, who will be lecturing at the ranch, and sculptor Teresita Fernández, a MacArthur Foundation genius grant recipient, who will be honored at the Museum's annual ArtCrush. Each discusses her own evolution as an artist, the role of women in the art world, and the draw to Aspen. Besides your talk at the Anderson Ranch, will you be engaged in any special projects while here? Marina Abramovi: I only go places where there is special energy and a reason to go. The nature [in Aspen] is beyond inspiring…[and] the energy that comes from the mountains is so incredible. I also want to talk about my institute, and the past, present, and future of the arts. Tell us about the Marina Abramovi Institute for the Preservation of ASPENPEAK-MAGAZINE.COM 082-084_AP_SP_ArtFull_SUM_Fall_13.indd 82 "Nature [in Aspen] is inspiring… The energy from the mountains is incredible." Performance Art. MA: The institute, located upstate in Hudson, New York, is being designed by Rem Koolhaas. I believe my institute can help solve the problems of the world and address how people can participate—how we can integrate art, science, —MARINA ABRAMOVIĆ technology, and spirituality. This is my purpose, to change the world. I want to engage people in the discussion, and I want people to be able to follow my work. Hopefully, we will be ready for programs by the end of 2014. The contemporary art community is focused on two women this summer: you and Teresita Fernández. There are more institutional and gallery shows than ever featuring female artists, with higher auction prices for art made by women. Have you felt the shift? MA: I'm of a different opinion…. I don't have this American obsession with numbers—how many female, male, gay, African Americans, etc., are continued on page 84 PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MARINA ABRAMOVIC/OMA/ARS, NEW YORK (MODEL); MARINA ABRAMOVIC/SEAN KELLY GALLERY, NEW YORK/ARS, NEW YORK (PORTRAIT WITH FIREWOOD) LEFT: 82 5/6/13 11:05 AM