Marina Abramović Returns to Blockchain with New NFT Project
After launching a range of wellness items, designing a series of chairs, and sharing her meditation techniques on the WeTransfer platform, renowned performance artist Marina Abramović is set to re-enter the blockchain space for her latest venture. This summer, she will introduce a collection of NFT drops under the title Marina Abramović Element (MAE). This initiative follows her initial exploration into the Web3 realm in 2021, which included the NFT release of her 2001 work, The Hero, but promises a much more comprehensive experience. Collaborating with the digital art marketplace TAEX, the MAE project will feature three NFT releases that incorporate interactive elements, allowing collectors to engage with various facets of Abramović’s artistic practice. According to TAEX founder Inna Bazhenova, this effort aims to create “an immersive experience where participants from the worlds of art and Web3 become active co-creators of her legacy.”
Themed Drops Reflecting Abramović’s Artistic Journey
The three releases within the MAE collection chart the trajectory of Abramović’s artistic evolution. The first drop, titled Art, examines the symbols and archetypes prevalent in her work. The second, Life, showcases how she integrates locations, gestures, and attire into her performances. The final segment, Marina Abramović Method, delves into her path of self-discovery, culminating in the establishment of her own institute. These themed drops are scheduled for release from May through September. Each drop will include tokens in various formats and levels of rarity, ranging from standard images (Ordinary) to animated clips (Rare) and unique animations that align with real-life lunar cycles (Epic). An interactive gaming element will be incorporated through Transformational Crystals, which participants can earn by engaging in games like Maze and Counting Crystals during the second and third drops. These collectibles will enable holders to mint exclusive 5D MAE Performance and 5D MAE Avatar NFTs.
The Concept of 5D NFTs
The term 5D refers to a fifth dimension, which Abramović describes as a realm one can only access by transforming their physical being. She notes, “You will be able to carry your body to the fourth dimension, but not to the fifth dimension because your body is too heavy. You will have a crystal in your body in the fifth dimension.”
Final Drop and The Great Mint Event
In addition to the drops, MAE will conclude in November with an event called The Great Mint. During this event, collectors will have the opportunity to mint the ultimate NFT of the project, the MAE token. However, participation requires collectors to gather specific items: either three Epic NFTs from each drop along with a Transformational Crystal, or three Rare NFTs with the same crystal. These combinations will grant access to the MAE token, which will consist of video artworks or animations featuring Abramović’s avatar performing new interpretations of her prominent pieces. These adaptations promise to showcase the avatar transcending “the boundaries of physicality, enabling impossible performances.”
Ablaze with Creativity and Technology
The entirety of this ambitious project is rooted in a fictional narrative crafted by Abramović, as indicated in the press release. This endeavor appears to stem from her desire to blend the ethereal nature of performance art with the digital landscape. In her own words, “Working today with technology and creating my own avatar is a way to develop a new relationship between the performer and the public. The public’s interaction provides the process through which immateriality can be transformed into energy.” However, not all aspects of MAE will remain intangible. Prior to the first drop, an exhibition will take place on April 8 at London’s Moco Museum, where attendees will likely have the chance to preview the upcoming releases. Abramović is expected to be present at the event.
