(via iamvictorhugo)
I like my coffee with cream and my literature with optimism.
Abigail Reynolds, Pemberley by the Sea (via bookoasis)
if we are lonely
it might be because
we let go too soon
or hung on too long
maybe
we walked too far or
we didn’t walk far enough or
we should have run
or stood still
either
we asked the wrong question
or planted the wrong answer
and winds soothe
when they should be tearing
and night teases
when it should come strong
and we are lonely
together apart together away
we are needing to give
as much as we are needing to get
if we are lonely
it might be because
there is not one thing
that reaches so far
nor stretches so wide
as empty
as empty.
it might be because
we let go too soon
or hung on too long
maybe
we walked too far or
we didn’t walk far enough or
we should have run
or stood still
either
we asked the wrong question
or planted the wrong answer
and winds soothe
when they should be tearing
and night teases
when it should come strong
and we are lonely
together apart together away
we are needing to give
as much as we are needing to get
if we are lonely
it might be because
there is not one thing
that reaches so far
nor stretches so wide
as empty
as empty.
Kathleen Novak, Reasons Why (via grammatolatry)
Rhythm 0, Marina Abramović, 1974
To test the limits of the relationship between performer and audience, Abramović developed one of her most challenging (and best-known) performances. She assigned a passive role to herself, with the public being the force which would act on her.
Abramović had placed upon a table 72 objects that people were allowed to use (a sign informed them) in any way that they chose. Some of these were objects that could give pleasure, while others could be wielded to inflict pain, or to harm her. Among them were a rose, a feather, honey, a whip, scissors, a scalpel, a gun and a single bullet. For six hours the artist allowed the audience members to manipulate her body and actions.
Initially, members of the audience reacted with caution and modesty, but as time passed (and the artist remained impassive) people began to act more aggressively. As Abramović described it later:
“What I learned was that… if you leave it up to the audience, they can kill you.” … “I felt really violated: they cut up my clothes, stuck rose thorns in my stomach, one person aimed the gun at my head, and another took it away. It created an aggressive atmosphere. After exactly 6 hours, as planned, I stood up and started walking toward the audience. Everyone ran away, to escape an actual confrontation.”
(via commovente)
