Marina Abramović — Rhythm 0 (1974): A Radical Act of Trust and Test of Humanity
- Physical Degradation: The original film stock is fragile. Transferring the entire 6 hours requires expensive restoration.
- Consent & Morality: Abramović has stated that she finds the final hour of the performance "too violent to watch." She curates what the public sees to protect the viewer from the most extreme trauma, and to protect the identities of the audience members who committed the acts.
- The Power of the Myth: In the art world, absence creates value. The fact that you cannot see the full 6 hours forces you to imagine being there, which is precisely the participatory terror she wanted to evoke.
: Features essential audio commentary from Abramović describing the "six hours of real horror". Marina Abramović Institute (Vimeo)