Jaden Hogan 

Tania Bruguera 

1. “Art is useful. Through art we can start building a world that works differently.”
   
    This quote resonates with Bruguera’s belief in art as a catalyst for societal change. It underscores her commitment to using art not just for aesthetic purposes but as a tool for activism and social transformation.
   
   
2. “The art that we should be doing today in the 21st century is art that is not for the museum, it’s art for the street and people’s lives.”
   
    Bruguera emphasizes the importance of making art accessible and relevant to everyday life. She challenges traditional notions of art being confined to galleries, advocating for its integration into public spaces and daily experiences.
   
   

Marina Abramovic 

“I have the empty chair, so everybody from the audience can come on his free time and sit in the front of me, and engage in this kind of silence, experience of the here and now, the present moment.” 

Abramovic’s invitation for silent interaction highlights the profound connection that can be established without words. It reflects her exploration of presence, vulnerability, and the shared human experience.

Marina Abramovic 

“When you perform it is a knife and your blood, when you act it is a fake knife and ketchup.” 

This metaphor captures the raw authenticity Abramovic brings to her performances. She distinguishes between genuine emotional investment in performance art and the simulated emotions in acting, emphasizing the real risks and sacrifices involved.

1.  “Cut Piece” (1964)

In “Cut Piece,” Yoko Ono sat alone on stage with a pair of scissors in front of her. Audience members were invited to approach and cut a piece of her clothing to take with them. The performance continued until Ono decided to end it.

This piece challenged notions of vulnerability, trust, and the dynamics between artist and audience. It confronted issues of objectification and passive participation, making the audience complicit in the act.

2.  “Cut Piece” Today

To recreate “Cut Piece” in a contemporary context, I would set the performance in a public space, such as a busy urban plaza. Instead of physical clothing, I would wear garments made of paper printed with words representing societal labels or stereotypes. Participants would be invited to cut away these labels, symbolizing the shedding of imposed identities.

This adaptation aims to engage the public in a dialogue about identity, perception, and the power of collective action to challenge societal norms.