Marina Abramovic’s Epic 70th Birthday Bash at the Guggenheim

by Sydney Sadick

How does a world-renowned artist celebrate a milestone birthday? For Marina Abramovic, it’s with a creative, art-fueled, and star-studded bash at the Guggenheim Museum in NYC, where hundreds of guests—ranging from family and friends to the art world glitterati—toasted the performance artist’s 70th birthday and new memoir, Walk Through Walls. The party was a performance in itself, putting the “Abramovic Method” right at our fingertips. The evening began with 70 minutes of silence—one for each of the artist’s birthdays—which was no problem thanks to a supply of noise-canceling headphones that guests were provided upon arrival. Kreemart, the artistic collaborators whose medium is sugar (yes, this is a thing), was on hand to present Golden Lips, where attendees applied sheets of gold leaf to their mouths, a DIY moment which caused quite the Instagram and Snapchat frenzy. But it wasn’t just about creating buzz on social media—the concept came from Abramovic’s experience at a Tibetan monastery, where was given a gold ball to eat, a practice typically occurring after a long period of fasting and seclusion dating back to the 6th century. Apparently, it helps clear your mind.

Abromovic eventually signaled guests to remove their headphones to listen to a performance by Anohni, an Academy Award-nominated singer. Perhaps the best surprise of the night? An appearance by Givenchy creative director Riccardo Tisci, who’s known for dressing the artist in his designs, and supermodels Naomi Campbell and Bella Hadid. Other guests who raised their glasses for Abramovic included art collectors Beth Rudin DeWoody and Agnes Gund, artists Andres SerranoDustin YellinMartha TuttleNir Hod, and Shirin NeshatMonica LewinskyDavid Copperfield and Chloe Gosselin, and Kipton Cronkite. Everyone left with a sweet treat: chocolate Golden Lips in the shape of Marina’s mouth, a collaboration between Kreemart and Laduree. Quite the celebration, indeed!

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