Performance artist Marina Abramović will restage "The Artist Is Present" to raise money for Ukraine
NEW YORK -- World-renowned performance artist Marina Abramović will restage her most famous piece to raise money for Ukraine.
As CBS2's Ali Bauman reports, in 2010, thousands flocked to the Museum of Modern Art, many camping out outside, for a chance to sit across from Abramović and experience her performance of "The Artist Is Present."
Now, 12 years later, Abramović will auction off two seats across from her in a restaging of the piece. All the proceeds will go to Ukraine.
"Now, this is not Ukraine anymore. It's all of us. It's about humanity. It's about the possibility of facing a third World War using nuclear weapons. This is something where all of us have to act, and I can only act with my own tools, and this is my performance," Abramović said.
The stage is already set at the Sean Kelly Gallery in Hell's Kitchen, where Abramović's current exhibition is on display.
By art world standards, this auction has come together very quickly.
"So from inception to today is something like eight days, whereas normally a fundraising effort could take months and months," Kelly said.
Abramović, who is originally from Serbia, just completely a piece in Ukraine last year. "The Crystal Wall of Crying" is a Holocaust memorial in the city of Kyiv.
"Being there was one of the most wonderful experiences. People are proud. People are wonderful. Lots of young, a generation of the great artists, writers, musicians, and beautiful, beautiful city. And we see it every single day, how the city has been destroyed step by step," Abramović said.
The auction is open until Friday night. The winners will be able to sit across from Abramović and get their photos taken April 16. For more information, click here.