Marina Abramović, recognized as a leading figure in performance art, is returning to the Web3 space with her upcoming project titled Marina Abramović Element (MAE). This four-part NFT collection, developed in collaboration with digital art platform TAEX, is set to launch on Ethereum in May 2025. The initiative merges digital innovation with Abramović’s artistic vision, presenting a narrative-driven and immersive artistic experience.
Renowned for pushing the boundaries of endurance, audience engagement, and conceptual expression, Abramović is applying her experimental ethos to the digital domain. MAE is built upon a fictional storyline named Legend, authored by Abramović and further developed with TAEX. Through this narrative, the project explores themes of transformation, life, and artistic evolution.
Structure and Concept of the MAE Collection
The MAE collection is divided into three main NFT drops, each representing a distinct facet of Abramović’s artistic career:
Art: A representation of visual symbolism and performative storytelling.
Life: A reflection on her personal and professional artistic growth.
Marina Abramović Method: A conceptual focus on endurance, presence, and audience interaction.
Each phase will consist of 960 distinctive digital artworks, ranging from still visuals and looped animations to interactive pieces that adjust in real-time according to lunar cycles. This synchronization with celestial patterns enhances the collection’s symbolic and immersive appeal.
The Grand Mint: A Digital Performance Unveiled
The fourth and concluding part of the collection, termed The Great Mint, is scheduled for November 2025. It will introduce the most exclusive NFT of the series, featuring a digital performance by Abramović’s avatar. This unique presentation offers collectors an interactive and dynamic engagement with her performance art in a virtual environment.
Abramović has emphasized how creating a digital avatar and utilizing modern technology allows her to redefine the relationship between the performer and the audience. Through this project, she continues to explore how immaterial experiences can generate profound emotional and energetic connections.
Navigating the NFT Landscape
The NFT market, which experienced significant fluctuations, particularly after the crash in 2022, has since matured into a more stable and credible platform for digital art. TAEX has pointed out that while early NFT hype focused primarily on speculation, the evolving landscape now values artistic intention and immersive storytelling.
Projects like MAE exemplify this shift by prioritizing artistic depth and meaningful engagement over financial speculation. This development has positioned NFTs as a legitimate medium for contemporary art, offering artists a platform for experimentation and creative exploration.
Founded in 2022, TAEX has adapted to these changes by serving as both a digital gallery and a producer of blockchain-based artwork. By collaborating with artists like Abramović, the platform has bridged the gap between traditional art and Web3 technology, offering new avenues for artistic expression.
Abramović’s Continued Innovation in Web3
Abramović’s venture into the NFT space reflects her longstanding commitment to pushing artistic boundaries. Her career, characterized by endurance-based performances and large-scale installations, has consistently challenged conventional notions of art and human experience.
With Web3, she now explores the interplay between digital performance, ownership, and decentralized participation. This endeavor follows her previous experiences with NFTs, further cementing her role as a pioneer at the intersection of blockchain technology and performance art.
Preview Exhibition at Moco Museum
Before the official launch, a preview of MAE will be showcased at Moco Museum in London on April 8, 2025. This exhibit will offer collectors, critics, and art enthusiasts a firsthand experience of the project’s interactive digital elements.
As the May 2025 release approaches, anticipation continues to build within both the contemporary art and Web3 communities. By expanding her artistic legacy into the digital realm, Abramović not only explores new creative frontiers but also reinforces the growing role of NFTs in the fine art world.