Marina Abramović Recalls “Cruel” Experience Working With Jay Z On The “Picasso Baby” Video
But the video’s producer says Jay Z followed through on his promises.
Update, 5/20/2015, 1:45 PM: Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn, the producer of Jay Z's "Picasso Baby" video, challenges Abramović's claim that the rapper did not follow through on his promise to donate money to her institute in exchange for her involvement in the film. According to Artnet, Rohatyn has a receipt that confirms Jay's donation and a thank-you note from Abramović's institute.
Earlier this week The FADER wondered, “Can we trust Jay Z?” Performance artist Marina Abramović, who collaborated with the rapper for his famous “Picasso Baby” video shoot in 2013, says no. “He adapted my work only under one condition: that he would help my institute,” she said in an interview published by yesterday by Spike Art. “Which he didn’t.” “He just completely used me,” she added. “And that wasn’t fair… In the end it was only a one-way transaction. I will never do it again, that I can say. Never. I was really naive in this kind of world. It was really new to me, and I had no idea that this would happen. It’s so cruel, it’s incredible. I will stay away from it for sure.” Read the full interview here.
Lead Image: Nelson Almeida / AFP / Getty Images