Marina Abramovic Makes Sundance Shut Up
VOLLMER: You mentioned that the film [The Artist is Present] captures many different sides of you. Do you think there were any sides that were missing from the film?
ABRAMOVIĆ: God. Maybe that I’m afraid of sharks. But I don’t know. We didn’t go to the water. I think so many people criticize my love of fashion. You know, in the ’70s, if you wore lipstick, which I actually do today, or nail polish or anything, you were not a good artist, you were just a slut. It was always ugly clothes, boots with holes and leather jackets. When I turned 40, I walked the Chinese Wall and I said goodbye to all of that. I felt ugly, fat and unwanted. I was feeling so terrible and this is the moment I told myself I don’t need to prove myself I am an okay artist. I went to the hairdresser. I changed myself. I bought my first fashionable clothes with the first money I had. It was Yamamoto; I still have the same suit. But the thing is, yes it is vanity, but why not? And everyone has so many different faces to show to the public, but most of the people show just one aspect and than hide the rest, from drug addiction to whatever. I never drink, I don’t take drugs, I’m really not interested in that. It’s just a very normal life; I actually hate parties. I never go out. But I like fashion. I like to eat tons of chocolate. You can give me any amount, I can finish it. I like bad movies. I like kitschy stories, like everybody else. When I perform, I perform from the highest of myself but then when you reach this thing you need release. You just need ice cream after this, and that is what I am saying to the public. So I don’t think I hide anything at all in this movie.
