Marina Abramovic leads an unprecedented three-month CIRCA presentation of The Hero, a global call for courageous new heroes at a pivotal moment in our collective history. Set against today’s backdrop of global instability, rising tensions and climate breakdown, the figure of a steadfast woman astride a white horse holds symbolic charge on a world stage dominated by masculine power and escalating conflict.
Instigating an extended three-month pause throughout June, July and August, broadcasting across the CIRCA network of screens (London, Seoul, Milan, Melbourne, Berlin, New York and Los Angeles), Abramovic invites a global audience to consider and assume new definitions of heroism.
Marina Abramovic says:
“Our planet needs uncorrupted heroes with morality, who embody courage and bring real change. Every day in this world is a shaky, uncertain, constantly changing landscape. For CIRCA 2022, we have this white horse. This white flag. This beautiful land. We need heroes that can bring new light to illuminate us. Heroes that can inspire us to be better, and to work together, not against each other. Heroes who care.”
One of Abramovic’s most personal and autobiographical works made after the death of her father, who was a national hero, The Hero was originally recorded in the summer of 2001, a few weeks before the events of 9/11 shook the world and shaped the reality of the coming generation. Like Rhythm 0 (1974) and The Artist Is Present (2010), The Hero emphasises the aspect of stillness and endurance that runs like a thread through much of her work. Transcending time in a rallying, durational display from one of the world’s greatest living artists, Abramovi? questions whether heroism survives, and what shape or form it takes today.
In recognition of this pivotal moment, Abramovic has penned The Heroes’ Manifesto, echoing her 2011 An Artist’s Life Manifesto, yet rewritten to reflect today’s urgent need for heroism over artistry. This new call to arms explores the importance to the hero’s journey of solitude, forgiveness, and recognition of one’s own mortality:
THE HERO MANIFESTO (CIRCA 2022)
Heroes should not lie to themselves or others
Heroes should not make themselves into an idol
Heroes should look deep inside themselves for inspiration
The deeper they look inside themselves, the more universal they become
Heroes are universe
Heroes are universe
Heroes are universe
Heroes create their own symbols
Symbols are the Heroes’ language
The language must then be translated
Sometimes it is difficult to find the key
Heroes have to understand silence
Heroes have to create a space for silence to enter their soul
Silence is like an island in the middle of a turbulent ocean
Heroes must make time for the long periods of solitude
Solitude is extremely important
Away from home
Away from family
Away from friends
Heroes should have more and more of less and less
Heroes should have friends that lift their spirit
Heroes have to learn to forgive
Heroes have to learn to forgive
Heroes have to learn to forgive
Heroes have to be aware of their own mortality
For the Heroes, it is not only important how they live their life but also how they die
Heroes should die consciously, without anger, without fear
Heroes should die consciously, without anger, without fear
Heroes should die consciously, without anger, without fear
Embodying the CIRCA 2022 manifesto ‘AND NOW WE BUILD WORLDS’, the heroes that Abramovi? seeks today are champions of a new way of thinking and living. Calling on brave figures to restore peace and reverse the destruction of the planet, the iconic vision of a rider holding a white flag invites contrasting ideas of heroism celebrating pacifism over conflict; femininity over machismo; self-sacrifice over dominance; and collectivity over individualism.
Josef O’Connor, Artistic Director, CIRCA, comments:
“This is a landmark three-month intervention for the CIRCA platform and there is no artistic voice more vital at this moment than that of Marina Abramovic. With tensions escalating around the world, it is the right time for us all to redefine heroism. This is not a moment for inaction; instead, in collaboration with one of the world’s greatest living artists, we are honoured to invite radical new visions of those who will lead us all into the future.”
MARINA ABRAMOVIC NFT
Marina Abramovic has pioneered landmark works that have recast the audience-artist relationship, with this durational CIRCA commission instigating a timely connection between disparate audiences around the world. Expanding on her iconic use of time-based media for a digital age, The Hero will be presented by CIRCA on the energy-efficient Tezos blockchain. Renowned for embracing new mediums and technologies, the artist will announce details of her first-ever NFT during a live panel discussion at Art Basel in Basel on 19th June.
Diane Drubay, Arts & Culture in the Tezos ecosystem, TZ Connect, comments:
“NFTs are the ideal medium to share Marina Abramovic’s and CIRCA’s view of a new paradigm through innovative ways of thinking and experiencing art. We are thrilled to witness Marina Abramovic’s work brought to life for the first time in Web3 on Tezos. Abramovic’s creation The Hero is perfectly at home in the thriving and diverse Tezos Art community.”
#CIRCAECONOMY PRINTS
Marina Abramovic has created a lenticular print in support of the #CIRCAECONOMY – a circular model that funds the CIRCA free public art programme and creates life-changing opportunities for the art & culture community. Available to purchase for £100 exclusively on CIRCA.ART until 31st August.
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