Marina Abramović had a gun put to her head. Joseph Beuys shared a gallery with a coyote. But with social media full of shocking images, is it worth today’s artists putting their lives at risk?
In 1974, standing expressionless beside a table in a gallery in Naples, Marina Abramović began her performance piece Rhythm 0. There was a page of instructions for the audience: “There are 72 objects on the table that one can use on me as desired … I am the object. During this period, I take full responsibility. Duration: 6 hours (8pm–2am).”