Performance artist explores magic of mutual gaze

One of the world’s greatest performance artists Marina Abramovich talked to RT about her new exhibition which studies the ambiguity of the human soul with the help of up-to-date neuroscience.

The artist’s unusual project – “Measuring the Magic of Mutual Gaze” – started as a performance, but soon turned into a fully-fledged scientific experiment.

During the performance, two people – complete strangers – stare at each other for a long period of time, while their brain activity is measured with the help of new technology. At the end of the show, the data is deciphered.

“For the first time in history, Russian and American scientists are working together, not against each other,” Abramovich told RT. “This is also about interaction between artists and scientists who normally never interact. I believe we will see more of it in the 21st century. We need to find some point of contact where we will be able to explain rationally some phenomena based on intuition, perception, or charismatic state of being.”

Abramovich’s exhibition is on at the Garage arts centre. For more information, check the venue’s official site (in English).

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