
Marina Abramović first performed Lips of Thomas in 1975 at Galerie Krinzinger in Innsbruck. The invitation came from the gallerist Ursula Krinzinger, a pioneer in platforming performance work in the 1970s. Ursula Krinzinger had read about Abramovićs early performance work, Rhythm 10, in Flash Art Magazine and wrote to the then twenty nine year old artist requesting her participation in a performance series with a new work at Galerie Krinzinger. The result was Thomas Lips, the original title, an artwork that was to become one of the most important works of Abramovićs early career.
At the fifty year anniversary of the original performance, Krinzinger Gallery presents, THOMAS LIPS an exhibition based on the sensational rediscovery of previously unpublished vintage negatives by F. Krinzinger, found during the move for the Gallery’s Archive from Innsbruck to Vienna.
The exhibition highlights moments from the original performance, with large scale photography and installation, and to celebrate the discovered material, a collage wall has been created so the negatives can be viewed all at once.
A portfolio will be presented alongside the exhibition to catalogue this important work.




Galerie Krinzinger was founded in 1971 by art-historian Dr. Ursula Krinzinger. Since then, she has organized at least 500 exhibitions of national and international artists, mounting solo, group and thematic shows.

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