The North American premiere of Marina Abramović’s Balkan Erotic Epic live full performance runs from December 8 to December 20, 2026, at the Park Avenue Armory in New York City. Taking over the massive Wade Thompson Drill Hall, it stands as her largest-scale durational performance work to date.
The Core Concept & Scenes
The show explores how sexuality, desire, and the human body were utilized as sites of power, mystery, and connection to the divine in ancient pagan Balkan folklore and rituals, stripping away modern pornographic or taboo associations.
The production incorporates choreography by Blenard Azizaj, multi-media elements, film direction by Nabil Elderkin, and a staggering cast of roughly 80 dancers, musicians, and singers moving through 13 visceral, overlapping scenes.
Key vignettes and performance stations include:
- “Scaring the Gods to Stop the Rain”: Women baring themselves to the sky to banish environmental storms.
- “Fertility Rites”: A fevered ritual featuring male performers flat on their bellies writhing against the earth.
- “The Black Wedding Platform”: A structure featuring downstairs performers, a corpse upstairs in a coffin, and a nearby bride.
- Other Ritual Stations: Performers engaging in intense knife dances, face-tattooing rituals, and a milk ritual where milk is poured into a bathtub over a performer.
What to Expect From the Live Experience
- Durational & Immersive: The full performance lasts approximately 4 hours. It is entirely general admission, and the audience is invited to navigate the massive space freely, choosing how long to linger at different stations.
- Atmosphere: The floor of the Drill Hall is surfaced entirely in black astro turf, and the production heavily utilizes dramatic contrast, projection, and moments of darkness. Sturdy, comfortable footwear is highly recommended.
- No Phones/Photos: To protect the performers and preserve the environment, photography and recording are strictly prohibited. Mobile phones are required to be secured in lockable Yondr-style pouches upon entry.
- Content Advisory: The production is strictly 18+ only and contains full male and female nudity alongside graphic sexual scenes.
Performance Schedule & Tickets
Live performances are scheduled on Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 7:00 PM, with Sunday matinees at 3:00 PM. You can secure entry directly through the official Park Avenue Armory Box Office or check for secondary market seating via verified ticket platforms like StubHub.
(Note: If you want to view the world-building, set designs, and film projections without the live performers present, the Armory is also hosting a daytime “Balkan Erotic Epic Installation” from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM between December 9 and December 19.)
