'Desert Island Discs: Marina Abramović' - BBC Radio 4

12 November 2023

Marina Abramović is an artist renowned for performances and feats of endurance, in which her body is pushed to its limits. She has moved, scandalised and delighted audiences for half a century, and is now celebrated by world-leading galleries and institutions...

She first made her name as a performance artist in her 20s, creating events which often shocked viewers – and were equally traumatic for her. In 1974 she placed 72 objects, including sharp tools, a whip and a loaded pistol, on a table and invited gallery goers to use them on her, however they wished. She was attacked and left scarred, and part of her hair went white. For many years she led a nomadic existence, creating works with her partner, the German artist Ulay. In 1997, in response to the war in Bosnia, she created a prize-winning work for the Venice Biennale, in which for four days she attempted to scrub the blood from a vast pile of cow bones...

DISC ONE: Aria from The Goldberg Variations. Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
German composer and musician, performed by Igor Levit
DISC TWO: Norma, Act 1: "Casta diva". Composed by Vincenzo Bellini, performed by Maria Callas (soprano) and Coro del Teatro alla Scala di Milano
DISC THREE: 4 Degrees - Anohni
DISC FOUR: Paloma Negra - Chavela Vargas
DISC FIVE: Private Dancer - Tina Turner
DISC SIX: Sherab Nyingpo Mantra (The Heart Sutra) - Tashi Lhumpo Monks
DISC SEVEN: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467 - 2. Andante. Composed by Mozart and performed by Mitsuko Uchida (piano), with the English Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Jeffrey Tate
DISC EIGHT: Rum And Coca-Cola - The Andrews Sisters

BOOK CHOICE: In Search of the Miraculous by Peter D Ouspensky
LUXURY ITEM: A cashmere blanket
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Sherab Nyingpo Mantra (The Heart Sutra) - Tashi Lhunpo Monks

Listen in full via BBC Sounds.