If you aren't familiar with Jay Z's work, about two years ago hip-hop's biggest name and entrepreneur collaborated with artist Marina Ambramović on his then-upcoming music video for "Picasso Baby." At the time, the artist, Marina, felt used at the end of the experience. And while she may not have felt she benefited much, as The Guardian states, "Where previous artists...were interested in pop stars, Abramović has become one."
Having been credited as an early founder and, even, creator of performance art, Abramović, felt the experience overall was a one-way transaction. But that seems to be rather precarious to say. Marina publicly claimed that she was "ripped off " by the rapper, who restaged her most celebrated performance in his music video but failed to support the foundation she had humbly asked him to promote (or donate to). And as it's been proven, that doesn't sit well with art's biggest brand.
However, her ties to pop's echelon of stars, as it's been noted, may have in fact been the payment for her artistic success. Having collaborated with Lady Gaga at an earlier time helped launch her name from a mere textbook alias to a most recognizable trend. So, in the end, who--or what--was really ripped off?
Some questions that have been posed present a larger inquiry into dealing with the rapper who probably had little to gain from his collab. I mean, "Does being chums with artists really bring him a tangible reward?"
Indeed, the world's largest name may not require the approval of the art world so much as the lyrics of his song do, but the idea may not have tarnished her name as much as she, the creator, has.
To Abramovic's benefit, it was noted afterwards by her own institute that Jay Z made a "sizable donation" to her organization but to the ignorance of their owner. Maria didn't know Jay made the donation, fair, but that may not have been the kind of restitution she was looking for.
Whatever that may be, be the judge yourself and check out "Picasso Baby" below.
