Did you know Croatian six year old Ivan Stoiljkovic, also known as Magnetic Boy, seemingly has the special ability to attract and carry metals up to 25kg on his chest and was an inspiration to Marina Abramovic? Abramovic was drawn to the boy’s ability to draw on unseen forces and using his body as a magnetic field for cutlery, coins, and even a non-stick frying pan. In an interview with Hans-Ulrich Obrist, Marina discusses how during her performance The Artist Is Present, she was required to channel a deep level of concentration. When her body was without food or drink for a long period of time it became a “hyper sensitive [almost] antenna [where one] can start feeling [a] parallel world [only] based on vibrations.” The Magnetic Boy unflinchingly uses vibrations to carry out his special ability.
Marina Abramovic curates Immaterial at Paddle8.