There exists a form of art in the world that is always baffling, impossible to be collected by museums, yet capable of delivering the most intense shock to the audience at first sight. Of course, this shock might cause extreme discomfort — both to the spirit and the flesh.
The public’s perception of performance artists is extremely polarized; some worship them like gods and flock to their works, while others view them as mentally ill and steer clear.
Marina Abramović, “The Artist is Present” 
Perhaps the most well-known performance art is Marina Abramović’s “The Lovers – The Great Wall” and “The Artist is Present.” Their popularity in China might be due to the romantic and tender themes they embody. However, Abramović’s earlier works were quite wild!
In her piece “Rhythm 10,” Abramović laid out 10 knives of different sizes, took one in turn, and rapidly stabbed between her spread fingers. When she injured herself, she switched to another knife, repeating the action. A tape recorder captured the sound of the knife hitting the floor and her own groans from being stabbed.
Marina Abramović, “Rhythm 10”
Do you find it somewhat masochistic? But in the world of performance art, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Here are some of the most excruciating performance arts, just watching makes you hurt!
High Alert: Not for the Faint-Hearted
Wafaa Bilal, “3RD-I”
Let’s start with something less extreme. In 2010, Iraqi artist Wafaa Bilal implanted a surveillance device into the back of his head! This device took a photo every minute and uploaded it to the internet, reminding people of the many things we “leave behind.”
Alright, that’s just a warm-up; the following ones are really… well, I don’t know how to describe them; you’ll see for yourself.
Pyotr Pavlensky, “Fixation”
In November 2013, Russian artist Pyotr Pavlensky, naked, nailed his scrotum to Red Square in Moscow for over an hour, condemning Putin’s authoritarian rule. He saw this performance as a metaphor for political apathy and the fatalism of modern Russian society.
A year earlier, Pavlensky had sewn his mouth shut for a performance. He has also done a series of acts like cutting off his earlobe and wrapping his body in barbed wire. Brave souls, please search for these on your own…
Mao Sugiyama, “Testicle Banquet” (Please use Baidu for the translation, you know what I mean)
Even more extreme than Pavlensky is Japanese artist Mao Sugiyama, who, unlike the former’s “fixation,” directly practiced the “Art of the Sword!” More shockingly, he turned this “external object” into a dish and sold it to five customers at 20,000 yen each! Through this act, the artist aimed to raise public awareness of asexual groups.
Honestly, I admire those five diners more than Sugiyama. Impressive, impressive! What a society!
If you thought Sugiyama had already won the crown for the most painful performance art, you’ve underestimated the determination of artists!
Dino Helvida, “Meat Hook Suspension”
What’s this? An inflatable doll? It even looks somewhat beautiful.
Now let’s look at it from another angle:
This… Yes, this is a living person suspended by meat hooks!
In June 2016, in Zagreb, Croatia, a 28-year-old American girl was challenging human suspension. This is a performance art by Bosnian artist Dino Helvida and his girlfriend, where for the past six years, they would suspend anyone daring enough to challenge it!
Thank you for sticking with me this far; I knew your nerves were strong.
After watching these hair-raising works from abroad, doesn’t our country seem like a garden?
Hehe, don’t let your guard down! Prepare yourselves, let’s turn our attention back to China and see the amazing performances of our own performance art masters!
Zhang Huan, “65 kg”
In June 1994, Chinese artist Zhang Huan, in his studio in Beijing’s East Village, hung himself naked by chains from the ceiling, with open wounds dripping blood onto a heated iron plate below, emitting a foul smell. His weight was exactly 65 kilograms.
Yang Zhichao, “Planting Grass”
At the “Non-Cooperative Way” exhibition in Shanghai in 2000, performance artist Yang Zhichao had doctors plant two blades of grass into his shoulders without anesthesia. A month before, he had completed another work, “Branding,” where he had his ID number branded onto his shoulder without anesthesia. “Planting Grass” brought Yang Zhichao widespread attention in the international art scene, with his exploration of art practice described as “peaceful body violence.”
Compared to Zhang Huan and Yang Zhichao, another performance artist has gone even further. In China, when it comes to self-inflicted cruelty, if he is second, no one dares to claim first. He is Achang — He Yunchang.
In He Yunchang’s performances, he constantly challenges his physical and psychological limits, his body seemingly always operating at full capacity.
He Yunchang, “Faith in Pillar”
In 1999, He Yunchang completed “Faith in Pillar” in Lijiang, recreating a scene from the Zhuangzi fable. He encased his left hand in concrete for 24 hours, which left his hand with a permanent ailment.
He Yunchang, “A Rib”
Love you, give you a rib. In 2008, He Yunchang underwent an unnecessary surgery to remove one of his ribs, which he then crafted into a necklace. He later took photos with his mother and several female friends wearing this necklace.
From the photos, his mother looks relaxed and at ease, as if the necklace around her neck were just an ordinary one.
He Yunchang, “One Meter of Democracy”
On October 10, 2010, 25 young artists in He Yunchang’s studio voted anonymously on whether He Yunchang should proceed with a performance: cutting a 1-meter-long, 0.5 to 1 cm deep incision from his right collarbone to his right knee without anesthesia. Thus, the piece was named “One Meter of Democracy.”
Marina Abramović, “Rhythm 0”
This is somewhat reminiscent of Abramović’s 1974 performance “Rhythm 0.” She later stated after the performance, “This experience made me realize that once you hand over control to the public, death is not far away.”
Phew, finally finished. My inner self has been greatly impacted, feeling like a bottle of 1982 Coke won’t save me!
Performance art has always been lukewarm in China, but in fact, it had its beginnings here in 1986. However, over the decades, due to its often unconventional forms of expression, it has been hard for the public to understand.
In daily life, people often neglect to pay attention to themselves, which is precisely where performance artists draw their inspiration. They explore their relationship with the world through various means, deepening their understanding of their own bodies. Just as painters convey their thoughts through painting, performance artists use their bodies.
Perhaps it’s time to give performance art more understanding and tolerance.
“The human body is the best picture of the soul.”
— Wittgenstein
