Marina Abramović Unveils Groundbreaking NFT Project: Crystals, Avatars, and the Fifth Dimension

Performance art icon Marina Abramović is venturing back into the Web3 space with an ambitious new NFT project titled "Marina Abramović Element" (MAE). This multi-faceted initiative, developed in partnership with digital art marketplace TAEX, promises an immersive experience that blends digital collectibles with philosophical concepts of physical and spiritual transformation, including the intriguing notion of having a crystal in one's body.

Key Takeaways

• Marina Abramović launches "Marina Abramović Element" (MAE), a new NFT project in collaboration with TAEX.

• The project involves three themed NFT drops: Art, Life, and Marina Abramović Method.

• It introduces "Transformational Crystals" and the concept of entering a "fifth dimension" by transcending the physical body.

• The ultimate goal is to mint the MAE token, requiring specific combinations of rare NFTs and a Transformational Crystal.

Abramović's Return to Web3

Following her initial foray into Web3 in 2021, Marina Abramović is expanding her digital presence with MAE. This project is significantly more intricate, designed to engage collectors as "active co-creators of her legacy," according to Inna Bazhenova, founder of TAEX. The initiative aims to bridge the immateriality of performance art with that of digital art, allowing for new forms of interaction between the artist and her audience.

The Element Drops

The MAE project is structured around three distinct NFT drops, each exploring different facets of Abramović's artistic journey and philosophy:

• Art: Focuses on the symbols and archetypes prevalent in her work.

• Life: Highlights the integration of locations, gestures, and outfits into her performances.

• Marina Abramović Method: Delves into her path to self-discovery and the establishment of her institute.

These drops, scheduled from May through September, will feature various token formats and rarity levels, ranging from "Ordinary" still images to "Epic" looped animations that adapt to real-life moon cycles.

Transformational Crystals and the Fifth Dimension

A central interactive element of MAE is the acquisition of "Transformational Crystals." These can be earned by participating in games like "The Maze" and "Counting Crystals" during the second and third drops. These crystals are crucial for minting limited-edition 5D MAE Performance and 5D MAE Avatar NFTs.

Abramović introduces the concept of the "fifth dimension," which she believes can only be entered by renewing one's physical being. She states, "You will have a crystal in your body in the fifth dimension," suggesting a profound, almost mystical, transformation facilitated by the project.

The Great Mint and MAE Token

The project culminates in November with "The Great Mint" event. To participate and mint the ultimate MAE token, collectors must amass a specific combination of NFTs and a Transformational Crystal. The required combinations are:

• Three "Epic" NFTs (one from each drop) and a Transformational Crystal.

• Three "Rare" NFTs (one from each drop) and a Transformational Crystal.

The MAE token will take the form of video artworks or animations featuring Abramović's avatar performing new iterations of her iconic pieces, promising "impossible performances" that transcend physical boundaries.

Bridging Immateriality and Technology

Abramović views this project as a means to develop a new relationship between performer and public, where "the public’s interaction provides the process through which immateriality can be transformed into energy." The entire elaborate project is based on a fictional story penned by Abramović herself, further blurring the lines between art, narrative, and digital innovation. A preview event for MAE is scheduled for April 8 at London's Moco Museum, with the artist in attendance.

Sources

• Marina Abramović Has a Wild New NFT Project: ‘You Will Have a Crystal in Your Body’, Artnet News.