Marina Abramović is a performance artist who now resides in the Hudson Valley of New York. Her one time lover and creative partner of a dozen years, Frank Uwe Laysiepen, also known as “Ulay” worked with Marina on several pieces that were on display as part of her “The Artist is Present” exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan.

“…After several years of tense relations, Abramović and Ulay decided to make a spiritual journey which would end their relationship. They each walked the Great Wall of China, in a piece called The Great Wall Walk, starting from the two opposite ends and meeting in the middle” for one last embrace and to say goodbye. [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marina_Abramovi%C4%87 ]

As part of “The Artist is Present” exhibition, Ms. Abramović was to create one more piece of performance art by allowing total strangers who were visiting the gallery to sit opposite her in complete silence for a few moments during which time they would maintain eye contact.

Without any foreknowledge, and after more than 30 years of separation, Ulay took a seat across from Marina to stare into her eyes and the moment is overwhelmingly powerful. Watch it now on YouTube.