Erik Satie

[San Antone]

The Abramović Method for Music, which was used during Igor Levit's 2015 Goldberg Variations concert, is Marina Abramović's attempt to turn classical music listening into something truly special — a ritual of silence and sensory isolation meant to clear the mind and bring the audience into full presence. The idea is that by entering a meditative state beforehand, listeners can connect more deeply with the music.

That's all well and good but I have no desire to become a part of one of her conceptual art installations.  I often meditate, for 15-20 minutes.  And I also listen to music - not at the same time.

[Mandryka]

Honestly, I think the idea that you can prepare a bunch of greenhorns for a meditation by asking them to sit silently in a hall for half an hour is nonsense. At the very least, they need to guide them through a systematic relaxation of their bodies. The idea that they will be able to focus in a meditative state on music for more than a few minutes is equally nonsense. Did she give them instructions about what to do when their mind wonders, or when they get cramp?

It's an experience machine, art as experience machine., like a roller coaster or a ghost train.

[AnotherSpin]

Honestly, I think the idea that you can prepare a bunch of greenhorns for a meditation by asking them to sit silently in a hall for half an hour is nonsense. At the very least, they need to guide them through a systematic relaxation of their bodies. The idea that they will be able to focus in a meditative state on music for more than a few minutes is equally nonsense. Did she give them instructions about what to do when their mind wonders, or when they get cramp?

It's an experience machine, art as experience machine., like a roller coaster or a ghost train.

Yes, that's true — meditation is a practice one has to learn, and it may not work right away.

At the same time, I'm not quite sure what exactly Abramović was offering in her method. Perhaps she had a unique ability to transmit, to truly convey what she intended to those around her.

In a completely different context, I've witnessed similar things myself, so I know it's indeed possible.