Marina Abramović's Balkan Erotic Epic Premieres in Barcelona

The legendary performance artist Marina Abramović returns to the stage with a deeply personal exploration of her Balkan heritage. At 79 years old, the Belgrado-born pioneer has unveiled her latest work, Balkan Erotic Epic, at Barcelona's historic Liceu theatre.

This immersive spectacle represents a homecoming of sorts—a voyage back to the rural Yugoslavia of her childhood. The performance weaves together ancestral myths and folk traditions, creating a tapestry that connects bodily fertility with the earth's own cycles.

The premiere marks a significant moment in contemporary performance art, blending ancient ritual with modern theatrical innovation.

In the fourth scene of Balkan Erotic Epic, Abramović presents a striking visual statement that pays tribute to the French painter Gustave Courbet. Several women on stage display their vaginas to the audience, creating a moment that is both confrontational and reverent.

This ritualistic gesture carries profound historical weight. Abramović explains that the practice was taught to her by her grandmother as an ancient method to halt torrential rains—a sacred act rooted in Balkan folklore.

"This ritual ancient me lo enseñó mi abuela y servía para detener las lluvias torrenciales"

The performance challenges contemporary sensibilities while honoring a tradition that predates modern art by centuries.

Abramović addresses a central tension in her work through a videoconference statement. She observes that modern audiences frequently confuse eroticism with pornography, a distinction she considers crucial to her artistic vision.

The artist attributes this confusion to a cultural shift in how we perceive the human form. According to Abramović, society has largely lost the capacity to contemplate nudity with poetic sensibility.

"Hoy la gente confunde erotismo con pornografía. Esto se debe a que hemos perdido la capacidad de contemplar la desnudez de una forma poética."

This philosophical stance forms the foundation of her creative approach, elevating bodily expression beyond mere shock value.

The premiere at the Liceu represents more than a traditional theatrical performance. Abramović has crafted an immersive experience that envelops audiences in the world of Balkan mythology and folk traditions.

The work explores themes of fertility that extend beyond human reproduction to encompass the land itself. This dual focus on bodily and terrestrial fertility creates a layered narrative that speaks to both personal and collective origins.

By staging this work in Barcelona, Abramović brings her Balkan heritage to an international audience, creating a bridge between regional traditions and global contemporary art.

Now in her late seventies, Marina Abramović continues to push boundaries and challenge conventions. Her career spans decades of groundbreaking performance work that has redefined the relationship between artist, audience, and art itself.

This latest production demonstrates her ongoing commitment to exploring the intersections of ritual, tradition, and contemporary expression. The work stands as a testament to her ability to transform deeply personal experiences into universal artistic statements.

Through Balkan Erotic Epic, Abramović proves that her creative vision remains as vital and provocative as ever.

The premiere of Balkan Erotic Epic at Barcelona's Liceu marks another milestone in Marina Abramović's extraordinary career. The performance serves as both a personal exploration of her Balkan roots and a broader commentary on contemporary society's relationship with the human body.

Abramović's work continues to provoke discussion about the boundaries between art, ritual, and cultural tradition. Her ability to transform ancient practices into contemporary performance ensures her place as a leading voice in the art world.

As audiences experience this immersive spectacle, they participate in a dialogue that spans generations, connecting the ancient past with the present moment.