Echoes of Karl Jaspers’ Philosophy in Marina Abramović’s Performances

Abstract

The topic of this presentation was prompted by an almost literal match of Jaspers’ theory of “loving struggle” (das liebende Kampf) as the kind of existential communication and early Abramović’s and Ulay’s performance, which is called “Rest Energy” (1980). The task of the analysis is to compare Jaspers’ and Abramović’s concepts of the work of art and their thought about the fundamental existential questions. The research of Jaspers’ philosophy of art is based on his ideas presented in his three-volume book “Philosophy” (Philosophie, Berlin: Springer, 1932); Abramovic’s ideas are reconstructed from her book “Walk Through Walls” (New York: Crown Archetype, 2016) and her recent public lectures, interviews and video-recordings of performances. The presentation is focused on the ideas of approaching social intercourse as a meeting between the two authentic selves and reflecting on possibilities to experience the realm which transcends our daily world as distinct from communication that is motivated by the struggle for social capital, practical interest, or utility. It is argued that as if echoing Jaspers’ suggestions for those who are searching for the true personal existence, contemporary performances might be conceived as the involvement of the public in the silent or direct communication and a joint search for new existential experiences, for changes in our understanding of ourselves and of the world around us.