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LIFE AND DEATH OF MARINA ABRAMOVIC – III
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“An artist should not make themselves into an idol”
Marina's commandment III. Photo by Lynsey Peisinger.
MINI-MARINA
Mini-Marina is a doll that wears Marina’s own, real hair.It just flew in from New York City.
The costume department is working on dressing Mini-Marina for the premiere…
Life And Death Of Marina Abramovic
at Manchester International Festival
July 9 – 16, 2011.00 -
LIFE AND DEATH OF MARINA ABRAMOVIC – II
-“An artist has to be aware of his own mortality”
Marina's Commandment II. Photo by Lynsey Peisinger.
MASK
Its raining in Manchester. Although sometimes not.The first preview went on stage under the roof of that building where his architect threw himself from his landmark tower to death.
Marina thinks there must be some energy left from this.At Marina’s funeral, who do you expect to see in the coffin? Marina, obviously. Since we have three people in both of Marina’s funeral scenes, they decided to make everyone wear “Marina masks” so that everyone would look like her.
We call them “Marina Death Masks”. They looked much more morbid before they put makeup on them…
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LIFE AND DEATH OF MARINA ABRAMOVIC : GUNPLAY
-Four more days to go until the premiere. The rehearsals proceed until late at night with great concentration. After four weeks of work, the cast, creative team and crew are almost ready for the first preview tonight. Bob Wilson, Marina Abramovic, Willem Dafoe and Antony Hegarty. An ensemble this beautiful doesn’t happen very often, perhaps just once in a lifetime.
The premiere is just hours away. Bob is orchestrating his cast and crew and the multi chromatic illumination of the play. Antony continues to conduct the music, snapping the tempo for the band while singing on stage. Willem recites his text in an endless mantra, a flood of whispers. His face and body moving through their various expressions. There is tension under the roof of the Lyric Theatre at the Lowry in Manchester. There have been troubles and tears and there have been shiny moments of camaraderie and playfulness, all in an effort to tell you a story. The story of Marina’s life. It is a story that will carve out a space for her in your heart forever…
Now, we go into our last rehearsal before the preview. The vultures are flying, Marina is slipping into her red, feathered dress and Bob….well, Bob is setting light cues.
Robert Wilson instructs Wilem Dafoe in Gunplays. Photo by René Habermacher
How Willem plays the gun. Photography by René Habermacher
And finally on stage: "Bruno" as Marina calls him is the new Horse that replaces "Stiffy".
So here Bruno, Willem and Marina. Photography by René Habermacher -
LIFE AND DEATH OF MARINA ABRAMOVIC – I
-“An artist should have friends that lift their spirits”
Marina's commandment I . Picture by Lynsey Peisinger.
STIFFY
The first three weeks of rehearsals were held in a rehearsal space where we used temporary props and stand-in animals.Stiffy (aptly named by Willem Dafoe) was Marina’s stand in horse. We miss Stiffy now that we are at the theatre and the “real” horse has arrived.
He had a very wide body and Marina had to walk like a cowboy after sitting on him for too long.
But he was good to Marina for those weeks.Life And Death Of Marina Abramovic
at Manchester International Festival
July 9 – 16, 2011.