Growth Marriage

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Marina Abramović and Ulay - Love Lost

Marina Abramović and Ulay were both performance artists who partnered in the 70's to create projects that were intended to make people think differently, and question the reality they've been handed. They worked together so much, and took their art so seriously that they began to dress and act as twins. They sacrificed their own ego and personalities to become one singular being, and even started referring to themselves as part of a "two-headed body."

Over a decade after they began performing (and basically existing) together, they decided that it was time to part. They each started at opposite ends of The Great Wall of China - Ulay starting in the Goby Desert, and Marina from the Yellow Sea - and walked until they met in the middle. It was here that they said their goodbyes, and then continued walking past each other never to see each other again...

Until in 2010, at the Museum of Modern Art. Marina performed "The Artist is Present," a 736-hour and 30-minute static, silent piece, in which she sat immobile in the museum's atrium, while spectators were invited to take turns sitting opposite her in one-minute increments. For the first time in nearly 20 years (and unbeknownst to her), Abramović and Ulay were reunited.

Love affects us all. Every day. Whether we want it to or not. Sit down today with someone you love, and look into their eyes for one full minute in silence. Come back and share the experience in the comments.