Performance art pioneer Marina Abramović, now 80, has opened a major exhibition titled "Transforming Energy" at the Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice, making her the first living woman to receive such a show at the institution. The exhibition, running until October, features interactive "transitory objects" like crystal structures and minerals, alongside re-enactments of her iconic works including a performance with her late partner Ulay. In an interview with Reuters, Abramović discusses her shift from being the subject of her work to focusing on audience participation, a realization she had after her landmark 2010 performance "The Artist Is Present" at MoMA.
The exhibition matters because it marks a historic milestone for both Abramović and the Gallerie dell'Accademia, highlighting the growing institutional recognition of performance art and female artists. Abramović's emphasis on active audience engagement—urging viewers to disconnect from their phones and participate directly—reflects a broader cultural conversation about art's role in an age of constant distraction. Her work continues to challenge traditional boundaries between artist and viewer, reinforcing her legacy as a transformative figure in contemporary art.