Artist Alleges Negligence in MoMA Lawsuit Over Groping Incidents During Abramović Exhibition
A nude artist, John Bonafede, is pursuing legal action against New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), claiming the institution neglected to prevent visitors from groping him during a Marina Abramović exhibition in 2010. Bonafede contends that he experienced multiple instances of sexual assault by different visitors while participating in the performance art piece Imponderabilia, a reenactment of Abramović's work that required two naked performers to stand face to face in a doorway as visitors passed through.
The Imponderabilia Performance:
Originally staged in 1977 and recreated at London's Royal Academy of Arts last year, Imponderabilia features two nude performers standing 18 inches apart in a doorway for over an hour while the public moves between them. This piece, challenging the boundaries between art and the audience, stirred controversy due to reports of inappropriate touching during its MoMA exhibition in 2010.
Alleged Assaults and Legal Action:
In Bonafede's lawsuit, he alleges seven instances of sexual assault by five different older male visitors during the six-week exhibition. The assaults purportedly followed a similar pattern, with the perpetrators turning to face Bonafede before groping his genitals. Despite reporting subsequent incidents to security and the exhibition's stage manager, Bonafede accuses MoMA of being aware of ongoing assaults against performers but failing to take corrective action.
MoMA's Response:
Court documents reveal that one alleged perpetrator was a MoMA corporate member, resulting in the revocation of his membership. However, Bonafede claims the museum did not disclose the identities of those who assaulted him, impeding his ability to pursue charges. During the exhibition, MoMA issued a statement acknowledging the challenges of featuring nude performers and asserting that any visitor engaging in improper behavior would be escorted out by museum security.
Legal Action and Damages:
John Bonafede seeks unspecified damages in a jury trial, asserting that MoMA's negligence in preventing recurring assaults violates its duty to worker-performers. The lawsuit raises concerns about the responsibility of cultural institutions to ensure the safety and well-being of artists involved in provocative and boundary-pushing exhibitions.
Conclusion:
The legal dispute between John Bonafede and MoMA sheds light on the difficulties faced by artists participating in performances that push the boundaries of traditional art. As the case unfolds, it prompts crucial questions about institutions' responsibility to safeguard the physical and emotional well-being of those involved in such exhibits, emphasizing the complex intersection between provocative art, audience behavior, and the obligations of cultural institutions.
