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False Claims Surrounding Marina Abramović’s Art Performance Debunked
Social media platforms have been circulating misleading content claiming to show Serbian performance artist Marina Abramović “eating raw human flesh on Jeffrey Epstein’s island in a satanic ritual.” A fact-check investigation has conclusively determined these allegations to be false.
The image in question actually depicts Abramović alongside musician Lady Gaga at a 2013 charity event in Southampton, New York, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Watermill Center art space. Getty Images has published multiple photographs from this event, confirming both the location and date as July 27, 2013—completely unrelated to Jeffrey Epstein’s private island.
The supposed “human body” referenced in the viral posts was actually an art installation titled “Funerals of Honey” created by artist Lisa Lozano. The box contained no human flesh whatsoever, but rather was filled with concentrated molasses flavored with honey. The installation was part of a performance art exhibition at the charity fundraiser.
“The event was themed ‘Devil’s Heaven’ and focused on uniting opposing concepts through artistic expression,” explained an art critic familiar with the installation. “It was a legitimate fundraising event for the Watermill Center’s arts programs, attended by numerous celebrities and art patrons.”
The circulation of these false claims appears connected to the recent release of documents by the U.S. Department of Justice related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. While Abramović’s name did appear in the latest batch of documents, her mention was limited to correspondence between American writer John Brockman and Epstein, where Brockman merely praised Abramović’s artistic work.
In the correspondence, Brockman wrote: “I had a wonderful meeting with Marina Abramović and HUO (Hans Ulrich Obrist) last week. I went to the Sean Kelly gallery to see her amazing work. You should check it out.” The message continued by discussing her potential participation as a lecturer, noting her reputation as a respected performance artist.
These documents contain no evidence linking Abramović to any misconduct or crimes involving Epstein. The misinformation appears to be part of a broader pattern of conspiracy theories that have targeted the artist in recent years due to her provocative performance art that often explores themes of bodily endurance and spiritual rituals.
This isn’t the first time Abramović has faced unfounded accusations. As one of the world’s most recognized performance artists with a career spanning five decades, her boundary-pushing work has occasionally made her a target for conspiracy theorists who misinterpret her artistic expressions.
Meanwhile, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are reportedly scheduled to testify before a Congressional committee regarding the Epstein case, according to a spokesperson for the former president. The couple had previously declined to appear before the committee.
Fact-checking organizations emphasize the importance of verifying sources before sharing sensationalist claims, particularly when they involve serious allegations. The rapid spread of this misinformation highlights the ongoing challenge of combating false information on social media platforms, especially when it involves public figures and sensitive topics.
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8 Comments
The details provided in this article help clarify the context around the misleading viral photo. It’s good to see the true nature of the event and artwork was explained, rather than allowing the false narrative to persist.
Exactly, transparency and accuracy are crucial when dealing with sensitive topics like this. Jumping to conclusions without verifying the facts can lead to real harm.
It’s concerning to see these kinds of false allegations spread online. I’m glad the investigation was able to conclusively debunk the claims about Marina Abramović and Epstein Island. Fact-checking is so important to counter misinformation.
While the original viral claims were clearly false, I’m curious to learn more about the art installation and performance that was actually depicted in the photo. The article provides some helpful context, but I’d be interested in further details on the artistic themes and messaging.
That’s a good point. Exploring the artistic intent and symbolism behind the event could offer valuable insights, beyond just refuting the misinformation.
This type of fact-checking is so important to counter the spread of disinformation online. It’s reassuring to see the specific claims investigated and conclusively debunked with evidence. Maintaining accuracy in reporting is crucial.
The article does a thorough job disproving the false allegations. I’m glad the investigation was able to clarify the real context around the viral photo. Responsible journalism and fact-checking are essential to combat the rise of misinformation.
I appreciate the thorough debunking in this report. Viral social media content often distorts the truth, so it’s refreshing to see a balanced, well-researched fact check on the details.