Fri Jan 23 12:40:45 UTC 2026: ### Abramović Reflects on India’s Influence Ahead of Kochi-Muziris Biennale Lecture

The Story:

Performance art icon Marina Abramović, nearing her 80th year, is set to participate in the sixth Kochi-Muziris Biennale in Kerala, India, and the India Art Fair in New Delhi. The article focuses on an interview with Abramović, where she reflects on the significant influence India has had on her personal, artistic, and spiritual development. She discusses her early travels to Bodh Gaya in 1979, her extended stays in monasteries throughout the Himalayan regions, and the lasting impact of Buddhist practices on her work. The Biennale will feature her work “Waterfall” and an archive of her performances. Abramović also highlights the importance of art in an unstable world, advocating for its role in providing hope and asking critical questions.

Key Points:

  • Marina Abramović will be featured at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale and the India Art Fair in 2026.
  • Her work “Waterfall,” incorporating recordings of Tibetan monks chanting the Lotus Sutra, will be on display at the Biennale.
  • Abramović describes India as a “great teacher” and an “endless source of inspiration” for her artistic practice.
  • Her first trip to India was in 1979, spending three months in Bodh Gaya.
  • She emphasizes the importance of “fresh points of view” from other cultures, particularly in the context of what she perceives as Western cultural exhaustion.
  • Abramović will be delivering a lecture at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale on February 10th, which will be able to accommodate around 1,000 people.

Key Takeaways:

  • Abramović’s work is deeply influenced by Eastern philosophies and spiritual practices, particularly Buddhism, which has played a crucial role in shaping her artistic approach.
  • The Kochi-Muziris Biennale continues to attract internationally renowned artists, highlighting India’s growing significance in the global art scene.
  • Abramović’s presence in India underscores a broader trend of Western artists seeking inspiration and spiritual grounding in Eastern cultures.
  • She views performance art as a constantly evolving form that resists stagnation and finds renewal in diverse cultural perspectives.
  • Art, according to Abramović, is essential in providing hope and critical inquiry in a world facing instability.

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