Brooklyn performance artist will give birth before gallery audience
By Jeff MillsOctober 11th, 2011, 12:30 pmComments (20)
Bushwick-based performance artist Marni Kotak will be giving birth to her first child in, I suppose, a very hipster way, as part of a performance-art piece in a "public birthing room" at Brooklyn's Microscope Gallery. The "exhibit" is called "The Birth of Baby X," and will allow art fans and other curious onlookers to watch and wait with Kotek over the next five or so weeks, as she waits to push out her little bundle of art.
Defining what constitutes "art" can be a slippery enterprise. Someone who enjoys a Rockwell illustration may not fancy an "installation, video, durational performance culminating in a live birth." Different strokes and all that. And I guess that difference of opinion is what keeps art challenging and fresh.
Kotak thought of the idea back in March, when she learned she was pregnant. For the past six years, she's been performing re-enactments of milestone events in her life, such as her grandfather's funeral, and the time she lost her virginity in her parents' Plymouth Acclaim, with the actual car and cherry-poppin' ex-boyfriend incorporated into the piece. She also turned her wedding with husband Jason into a "collaborative art-making performance."
Kotak told The Village Voice:
"I hope that people will see that human life itself is the most profound work of art, and that therefore giving birth, the greatest expression of life, is the highest form of art. This child is the greatest work of art that Jason and I could ever make together. So often I find that people overlook how our lives are full of the most amazing, shocking, challenging, beautiful, and disturbing experiences -- far more interesting than anything anyone could put together as a "performance."
The thirty-six-year-old Kotak has a doula present for support, and will be joined by a midwife when she finally goes into labor. The due date is uncertain, but the performance will run through November 7. Audience members are encouraged to bring salty snacks for Kotak's cravings, especially "Nutella on rice cakes" and "potato chips." After the baby is delivered, Kotak will begin her next performance, seriously, called "Raising Baby X."
Commentarium (20 Comments)
Interesting, I think it is a great idea.
Cool, way to use your unborn child to further y0ur art career!
Ugh, this sort of wreaks of "attention whore." To each their own I suppose but why would one want to share the sacred experience of giving birth with of whomever decides to show up. It's a little "LOOK AT MEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!" for my taste.
That is what "Art" is these days? Wtf?!?
I'm surprised that this isn't done all the time.
I'm already bored.
did she seriously ask for the audience to bring her snacks? Maybe I should start doing performance art where people watch me at my job where I encourage them to bring me pizza and juice
I think the idea that creating a human is the ultimate work of art is cool; also, why should this be disgusting? If some people find childbirth disgusting, they of course don't have to view it.
In modern western society giving birth is mostly something done in hospitals in a private room, almost as if it is shameful; it wasn't always that way. Maybe part of her point is how much birth and natural processes are so removed from daily life.
Narcissism in the name of art,no thanks.
Performance art is, by its very nature, "look at me." I have mixed feelings about it, but it always draws attention, which is largely the point. I like what @ibg said though about it being the ultimate work of art, in this case. And yeah, it's a little sad how "ew gross icky!!" people find birth. We've, uh, all been there, you know?
God, no one here gives anything a chance.
Controversy is as controversy does.
So, raising a child is now considered a "performance?" Sounds like this kid is going to be taking a long swim in the exploitation pool.
For purposes of HMO coverage (assuming she's lucky enough to have any coverage), is giving birth in an art gallery considered to be going out-of-network?
I just wanna see her vag lol
What if she shits during the process. Will there be refunds? Or is one free to sue for unwanted/unadvertised smells?
I'm going to shit on a plate and invite the public to watch me. I'll call it 'art' so no-one can call me a freak.
oh, you mean you don't understand 'art'? oh dear, I pity you.
Art can be defined, at very least, as 'representational' and 'communicative'. What exactly would this birth be representing or communicating?
Missed opportunity: Watch Marina Abramović's reaction to Marni Kotaks' birth.
Now you say something