Blog
 

Connecting in Silence

How much can be communicated in a room of quiet?

Since March 14th, Marina Abramovic has sat in silence, across from strangers who stand in line to commune with her, in her MoMa exhibit called “The Artist is Present.”  No gestures, facial expressions, or talking.  Some stay minutes, others longer.  In addition to a live cam documenting it all, there’s a photographer, Marco Anelli, who takes pictures of the participants’ facesSharon Stone has done itRufus Wainwright, too.

Then there are the few who keep coming back.  Paco Blancas, a NY-based makeup artist has been 14 times, and often (as you can see in his pictures), he’s been reduced to tears.  You can read more of his story here.

[For more details, see MoMA’s site.]

I think of so many things when I see these faces.

Of Avatar’s much repeated phrase, “I see you.”

Of what Namaste means when you say it.  “I see the divine in you” or “I honor the divine in you.”

Of my sister Worthy sending me a card that says, “We could sit and say nothing, and still, I would have had the best conversation with you.”

Of how something happens between two human beings–even without words and mannerisms–and how that something can be very different for both of them.

Of how beautiful and diverse these people are.

Of how fun it would be to create narratives for them, though I’m sure their real lives would be much more interesting and astonishing.

Of the power of silence.  Abiding.  Being.

*    *    *

Have you felt that with anyone recently?

And have I told you yet that I’m glad you’re here with me, even though I can’t see you?

Namaste.

[Post image: Marina Abramovic, a Serbian artist whose exhibit (of sitting in silence with strangers) is running at MoMA from March to May of this year, photo credit: Daily Beast, Casey Schwartz’s blog]

Leave a Reply