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Initially, the audience's actions were small and cautious. People offered gestures of kindness or playful interaction. However, as it became clear that the artist would not react or defend herself, a segment of the crowd began to test the limits of the environment.
Even decades later, people actively search for the to witness the raw reality of what happened during those six hours.
"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 (8 PM - 2 AM)." The 72 Objects marina abramovic rhythm 0 1974 full video work
Psychologists often cite this performance as a real-world example of deindividuation—a state where individuals lose their sense of personal responsibility when part of a group or when social norms are suspended. The presence of instruments of pain alongside instruments of pleasure created a tension that escalated as the night progressed. The Conclusion of the Work
The instructions were simple, direct, and gave the audience absolute power: Initially, the audience's actions were small and cautious
Marina Abramović has provided extensive testimony regarding her internal experience during the piece.
By the final hours, the interactions had become aggressive. When the performance concluded at 2:00 AM and Abramović began to move and walk through the room, the dynamic changed instantly. Confronted with the artist as a conscious human being rather than an "object," the remaining audience members reportedly left the gallery quickly, unable to confront the reality of the preceding hours. 📹 Documentation and the "Full Video Work" Even decades later, people actively search for the
In 1974, recording six hours of high-quality video was not standard for performance art. Consequently, a single, continuous six-hour film of the event does not exist in the public domain. Instead, the legacy of the work is preserved through:
Abramović stood still in a room for six hours. On a table in front of her, she placed 72 objects. She also placed a sign on the table with instructions for the audience. The Instructions
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