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Can a dead pug performance artist help a pregnant lady in crisis? Find out in GOO:GA, the final posthumous performance by Nigel (aka Marina Abramopug) showing now through 25th June, 2023 in the Mother Art Prize show at the Zabludowicz Collection, London.

A quick video message from the artist behind Marina Abramopug, Hannah Ballou, who is fundraising for her new project, goo:ga II; she has some limited edition ABRAMOPUG MERCH for donors, including a link to the video of a never-before-seen posthumous Abramopug performance; The Life and Death of Marina Abramopug; YES, it’s a Robert Wilson/Marina Abramopug/Willem Dafoe parody, and YES, it’s riDICulous!  Visit the goo:ga II crowdfunding page to find out more about the new feminist comic live art film all about pregnancy, parenting, disrupting the gender binary, and what happens when pregnancy number 2 does not go to plan.  AND get your Abramopug autograph… did we say autograph?  We mean pawtograph!  https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/googa-ii-the-film   CN: pregnancy-related trauma & fetal illness  (Did we mention it’s a comedy??)

To commemorate the life of Marina Abramopug, we’re featuring a retrospective of her work, including behind-the-scenes documentation and commentary, culminating in the world premiere of The Life and Death of Marina Abramopug.

Recreating Rest Energy was simple enough; I hot glued the arrow to the bow, and then to Ken who was kind enough to play Ulay for this one. Then it was just a matter of finding the right angle.  Feel free to interpret the two fingers below Marina’s armpit however you like.  If I had all the money in the world, I would have sourced a permed mullet dog wig, but alas this was always a low-budget project.

To commemorate the life of Marina Abramopug, we’re featuring a retrospective of her work, including behind-the-scenes documentation and commentary, culminating in the world premiere of The Life and Death of Marina Abramopug.

The House with the Ocean View was unsurprisingly shot in my dimly lit studio flat on an IKEA Billy bookshelf with the support studs poorly photoshopped out.  I got a funny look from the cashier at Argos buying so many cheap knives.

Coincidentally, the work captures the spirit of lockdown rather well.

To commemorate the life of Marina Abramopug, we’re featuring a retrospective of her work, including behind-the-scenes documentation and commentary, culminating in the world premiere of The Life and Death of Marina Abramopug.

We attempted to recreate Imponderabilia but I wasn’t happy with the results, so I never posted it.  I couldn’t get Nigel and Leeloo to gaze straight ahead; they would stare intensely at the treat.  If I lowered it to get them to lower their gaze, one of them would go for it and ruin the shot.  Pugs will be pugs.  

Apologies for censoring the human version; Tumblr classified it as ‘adult content.’  I have added a portrait of Marina reclining, genitals on full display, to compensate.

To commemorate the life of Marina Abramopug, we’re featuring a retrospective of her work, including behind-the-scenes documentation and commentary, culminating in the world premiere of The Life and Death of Marina Abramopug.

Although we couldn’t recreate The Onion fully, as onions are toxic to dogs, I think Abramopug captured the angst of the original.  It was a very simple photoshoot, so there aren’t many outtakes, but I love the disdainful side-eye in this one.

To commemorate the life of Marina Abramopug, we’re featuring a retrospective of her work, including behind-the-scenes documentation and commentary, culminating in the world premiere of The Life and Death of Marina Abramopug.

Recreating Relation in Time was far more challenging than Marina’s debut work, Artist is Present because it involved not one, but two pugs which obviously made sitting still less attractive to Nigel.  My friend, actor/comedian Fliss Russell brought her beautiful pug Leeloo over, and through trial and error we finally got the shot we wanted by each holding a treat either side of the frame.  Even this was tricky because one or the other would swivel around to check out the other one’s treat, plus there were many wrestling breaks, which I believe the human version didn’t include, to its detriment.

Marina Abramopug offers advice on art, life, and just generally being amazing. Submit your questions to marinaabramopug@gmail.com
Dear Marina Abramopug,
Can you recommend any cool, arty ways to break up with someone?
-Ready-To-Move-On
Dear RTMO,
Each...

Marina Abramopug offers advice on art, life, and just generally being amazing.  Submit your questions to marinaabramopug@gmail.com


Dear Marina Abramopug,

Can you recommend any cool, arty ways to break up with someone?

-Ready-To-Move-On


Dear RTMO,

Each of you start walking from the opposite end of something very long, like the Great Wall of China or a tapeworm.  When you get to the middle, say goodbye to each other.  For more performative authenticity, don’t tell them about the breaking up part beforehand.  

Love, Marina

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Dear Marina Abramopug,

I’m working on an group performance, and everyone else’s ideas are stupid.  What should I do?

-Solo Artistic Desire


Dear SAD,

There is so much nonsense-talk of saying, ‘Yes, and-‘ in ensemble work.  Instead, to these imbeciles, try saying ‘No, bye.’ And next time surround yourself with an entourage, not an ensemble.

Good luck,  Marina


Do you have a question for Marina? Email marinaabramopug@gmail.com