Breathing In/Breathing Out

The film documents a remarkable performance art piece by Marina Abramović and Ulay. In this piece, the artists block their nostrils with cigarette filters and press their mouths together, creating a cycle of exhalation that leads to a shared experience of breath. As they exhaust their oxygen supply, the audience witnesses their physical struggle through the amplified sounds of their breathing.

Over the course of two performances, the artists reach the edge of unconsciousness, with the first lasting 19 minutes and the second 15 minutes. The raw physicality and emotional intensity of the performance are palpable, making this film a compelling study of human limits and artistic expression. Collectors of performance art and experimental film will find significance in this piece, as it showcases a pivotal moment in the evolution of performance art during the 1970s.