Uwe Frank Laysiepen (born 1943), better known as Ulay, has been a pioneer of Polaroid photography and one of the central figures of performance art since the 1970s. A singular presence among the artists of his generation, his radically innovative work, partly known for his twelve-year partnership with Marina Abramovic, has received critical acclaim worldwide.
Whispers: Ulay on Ulay reveals an extremely innovative oeuvre that is coherently rooted in a personal life philosophy, which is guided by strong ethical principles. This book attempts to uncover the threads that weave the seemingly disparate aspects of his work into a fabric of passionate pursuits, driven by a rigourous inner necessity. 'I have produced a very bizarre body of work,' Ulay says of his artistic career, 'I have experimented a lot. You have to if you are aiming at something that does not yet exist.'
Ulay's work is introduced and analyzed by Maria Rus Bojan, who explores the artist's themes and development, spanning more than four decades. In a long, thematic interview with Alessandro Cassin, Ulay speaks openly about his life and career. This generous volume provides new insight into the attitude, ways of working, the early work and current endeavors of the artist.