Vulnerability on Display

This image is a still from Marina Abramovic's performance The Artist is Present. In this piece, strangers would walk up to her table and take a seat across from her. The two people would then silently watch one another, examining one another. The photo above is a still of the moment during the performance when she is confronted unexpectedly with meeting a past lover.  Over and over I have heard people gush about how beautiful this particular moment is.

Why?  Why is it beautiful?  What is so wonderful or desirable in this moment that so many people find inspiring?  One might argue that it is how vulnerable they are with one another.

Both come to this moment knowing not knowing how the other will react. The stakes are especially high here because they risk this level of vulnerability in front of an audience. I think that people find beauty in this moment of vulnerability because it is a show of trust and of a deep connection that transcends distance and time. Despite their time apart, both find the strength and trust to non-verbally express their emotions in this moment.

For my own project, looking at this piece is inspirational because I want to talk about vulnerability as an ideal to strive for, something that makes us more equal by exposing our inner selves.