Marina Abramović has unveiled a new immersive work titled THE BUS at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, running until 23 January. The piece, part mobile sculpture and part meditation capsule, invites world leaders and participants to step away from the forum's intense schedule for a digital detox and inner reflection using the Abramović Method. The project was curated by Mirjam Varadinis, curator-at-large at the Kunsthaus Zürich, and developed through Abramović's institute (MAI). It marks Abramović's debut at the WEF, which this year also features eco-artist Thijs Biersteker, multimedia artist Ronen Tanchum, and street artist JR.
This matters because it positions art as a counterbalance to the tech-driven, high-pressure environment of global economic summits, emphasizing human presence and reflection over productivity. By launching THE BUS at Davos, Abramović and Varadinis aim to directly engage decision-makers in a shared moment of silence, potentially fostering dialogue and common ground on pressing global issues. The project extends Abramović's long-standing practice of pushing art beyond museum walls into the realm of political and economic influence, suggesting that contemplative experiences can be a prerequisite for meaningful progress.