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.

Episode #7 - Neil & A.Rae

Neil and A. Rae have been through a lot. And when I say, "a lot," it's not an understatement. I daresay they've been through just about everything you can imagine... and they've made it out alive, and with  smiles on their faces.

The most touching moments in this podcast, for me, are when Neil and A. Rae talk about losing their son, and how it transformed their lives, and when Neil talks about how mistaken he was to believe that the single life is/was better than married life.

Talking to A. Rae and Neil made me realize that I have a tendency to give up too easily on things that are important. True love is worth fighting for. It's worth enduring misery, and heartache. It's worth forgiving and learning and struggling together. Without the struggles, the mistakes, and the fight, love is weak... and it may not even be love at all.

Don't forget to subscribe on iTunes!

Episode #4 - Tommy and Jason

On my way to visit Tommy and Jason in Salt Lake this week, I turned on my Beatles mix on my ipod. Right as I pulled off the freeway exit for their home, the song “All You Need is Love” came on. It played right until I pulled up to their doorstep. It was the perfect beginning to a fantastic interview.

Tommy and Jason have been together for almost 4 years. Unlike Torben and Marissa from last week who have tons of things in common with each other, Tommy and Jason have fundamentally different personalities and interests. But as you’ll hear in the interview, these differences have really helped to bring them closer together, and to understand themselves and individuals in a more complete way.

In this interview, we cover the importance of continuous love and support, the ability to be vulnerable. We talk about the struggles a couple can face when family isn’t fully supportive of your relationship choices, and how the state of limerence (or Twitterpation, as some call it) can be addicting, and prevent us from ever fully experiencing the fulfillment of investing in a long-term relationship.

If you want to be part of The Loveumentary, or you know someone who might, please drop me a line here. The same goes for if you have any ideas or suggestions on how to make the podcast better. Here's a link to the intro and outro music for the podcast in case you want to check it out.

If you like this podcast, it would mean a lot to me if you'd share it with your friends. Love you all!