Marina Abramović and Ulay, Relation in space: from action to photos by Mario Sillani

Abstract

In 1977, a collection of photos entitled Relation in space was published as part of the Amatori del libro ("Booklovers") series by Edizioni del Cavallino, the publishing house headed by Paolo Cardazzo. Cardazzo began the Amatori del libro series in 1944, with the goals of publishing refined illustrated volumes and printing collections of lithographs or drawings, all accompanied by critical texts and aimed at connoisseurs. In the 1970s the collections of lithographs and drawings were replaced by photos, a reflection of the changes in artistic expression at the time and a renewed interest in photography. Relation in space - 30 numbered, signed copies presented in a black leather portfolio - contains seven black and white photos taken by Mario Sillani Djerrahian (1940) to  "artistically" document Marina Abramović and Ulay's performance of the same name. The show was staged on 16 July 1976 at the Cantieri Navali della Giudecca during the XXXVII Venice Biennale (in the Attivo section curated by Tommaso Trini). Paolo Cardazzo also made a complete video recording of the performance. The photos are accompanied by a "description of the action", done in agreement with the Serbian artist (as shown in documentation from the Cardazzo archive), which helps to contextualize Sillani’s pictures. The Relation in space collection allows us to see the role of photography in objectively viewing certain aspects of the performance, offering not only a documentary vision of the event (as provided by the video recording), but also an artistic vision, which will endure over time.