Performance art is a form of art that often leaves audiences confused and shocked. It cannot be stored in museums, but in the moment of performance, it can create a powerful impact, especially when it evokes deep discomfort—both physical and emotional.
Public perception of performance artists is highly polarized: some revere them as gods, while others view them as mentally unstable and avoid them at all costs.
Marina Abramović, The Lovers at the Great Wall & The Artist is Present
Marina Abramović is probably the most well-known performance artist in China, particularly for her works like The Lovers at the Great Wall and The Artist is Present. These performances are often interpreted as romantic and emotional. This contributes to their wide acceptance in China. However, Abramović’s earlier works were much more extreme. 
In Rhythm 10, she placed ten knives of varying sizes in front of her. She quickly stabbed her fingers between them, replacing the knife after each injury. The sounds of the knives hitting the floor and her groans of pain were recorded. Though this might seem self-mutilating, in the world of performance art, this is considered relatively mild.
Wafa Bilal, 3RD-I
In 2010, Iraqi artist Wafa Bilal implanted a surveillance device in the back of his head. The device took a photo every minute and uploaded it to the internet. The intention was to raise awareness about the things in life we tend to “forget” or neglect. While this may seem less extreme, it’s merely a precursor to more shocking works.
Petr Pavlensky, Fixation
In November 2013, Russian artist Petr Pavlensky performed an extreme act of protest. He nudely fixed his genitals to the Red Square in Moscow for over an hour. This was done to denounce Vladimir Putin’s authoritarian rule. Pavlensky’s work is a metaphor for political apathy and the fatalistic nature of modern Russian society.
A year earlier, Pavlensky had sewn his lips shut as part of another performance. He has also performed other extreme acts, such as cutting off his earlobes or wrapping his body with barbed wire.
Mao Sugiyama, Testicle Banquet
Japanese artist Mao Sugiyama took body art to a new level. Unlike Pavlensky’s “fixation,” Sugiyama took the extreme step of removing his own genitals. He prepared them as a dish for five paying guests at a cost of ¥20,000 each. Through this shocking act, Sugiyama aimed to bring attention to issues faced by the genderless and non-binary communities.
Though Sugiyama’s actions may seem the most extreme, the real shock is perhaps in the guests who willingly partook in the meal.
Dino Helvida, Hook Suspension
In 2016, Croatian artist Dino Helvida and his girlfriend carried out an intense form of performance art called “body suspension.” A 28-year-old woman was suspended by hooks in her skin. This practice challenges the human body’s pain tolerance and endurance.
Zhang Xian, 65 kg
In June 1994, Chinese artist Zhang Xian performed a shocking piece in his Beijing studio. He hung himself naked by chains attached to the ceiling. His own blood, dripping from wounds, fell onto hot iron pans below, creating a foul smell. The performance was titled 65 kg, a reference to Zhang’s body weight. It used the artist’s physical pain to explore the limits of human endurance.
Yang Zhichao, Planting Grass
At the Uncooperative Approach exhibition in Shanghai in 2000, artist Yang Zhichao performed a piece called Planting Grass. In this work, a doctor planted two pieces of grass into Yang’s shoulder without anesthesia. This performance drew significant international attention. Yang’s exploration of “bodily violence” art was widely discussed.
He Yunchang, The Pillar of Faith
He Yunchang is one of China’s most extreme performance artists. In 1999, he performed The Pillar of Faith. He cast his left hand in cement for 24 hours. The result was a permanent injury to his hand. In 2008, He took it a step further and removed one of his ribs to create a necklace. He later gifted it to his mother. This extreme act is just one example of He’s works. They often involve pushing the boundaries of his own physical and psychological limits.
Conclusion
Performance art has always been a challenging and often misunderstood art form in China. Though it began emerging in the country in 1986, many works have been met with resistance. They often deviate from traditional art practices and challenge social norms. Performance artists explore the body and its relationship with the outside world. They use their physicality to communicate deep philosophical and social messages.
Perhaps it is time to show more understanding and acceptance of performance art.
“The human body is the best picture of the soul.” — Ludwig Wittgenstein
