The Birth of Baby X is an installation and month-long durational performance by Bushwick-based artist Marni Kotak culminating in the birth of her first child at the gallery. For 10 years, Kotak has presented her life experiences as works of art. Influenced by the performances of Hannah Wilke, Chris Burden, Vito Acconci, Marina Abramovic, and Carolee Schneemann that test the limits of the human body experience, Kotak seeks to create works of raw immediacy.  The Birth of Baby X will be her most profound and challenging performance. 

Kotak will transform the gallery into her home birthing room. She will be at the gallery throughout the week preparing for the event. Also on exhibit video, installation and other multi-media works by Kotak. Remnants from the final days of pregnancy and the birth will be added as the event progresses. Related artworks by the artist’s husband Jason Robert Bell are also on view.

Marni Kotak is a Brooklyn-based performance artist. She has previously exhibited/performed at Alice Chilton Gallery, Artists Space, NY Studio Gallery, Cave Gallery, Holland Tunnel, English Kills Art Gallery, Grace Exhibition Space, PERFORMA, and others.  Kotak’s work has been featured in PAJ: A Journal of Performance and Art, the New York Times, the Village Voice, NY Arts, New York Press, Art New England, The Brooklyn Rail and more.  She received BA from Bard, & MFA from Brooklyn College.

For the exhibit, Microscope will extend our regular hours to 7 days a week from 11am-6pm until the birth has occurred.

Please Note: Visitors should be prepared to find themselves suddenly as witnesses to a live birth.

More info at: http://www.microscopegallery.com/?page_id=1978