• The Museum of Modern Love

  • By: Heather Rose
  • Narrated by: Laurel Lefkow
  • Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (12 ratings)

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The Museum of Modern Love

By: Heather Rose
Narrated by: Laurel Lefkow
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Publisher's Summary

A mesmerising literary story about a lost man in search of connection - a meditation on love, art and commitment, set against the backdrop of one of the greatest art events in modern history, Marina Abramovic's The Artist Is Present

She watched as the final hours of The Artist Is Present passed by, sitter after sitter in a gaze with the woman across the table. Jane felt she had witnessed a thing of inexplicable beauty among humans who had been drawn to this art and had found the reflection of a great mystery. What are we? How should we live? 

If this was a dream, then he wanted to know when it would end. Maybe it would end if he went to see Lydia. But it was the one thing he was not allowed to do. 

Arky Swann is a film composer in New York separated from his wife, who has asked him to keep one devastating promise. One day he finds his way to The Atrium at MOMA and sees Marina Abramovic in The Artist is Present. The performance continues for 75 days and as it unfolds, so does Arky. As he watches and meets other people drawn to the exhibit, he slowly starts to understand what might be missing in his life and what he must do. 

This dazzlingly original novel asks beguiling questions about the nature of art, life and love and finds a way to answer them. 

©2017 Heather Rose (P)2018 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

What listeners say about The Museum of Modern Love

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  • LisaSee
  • 09-12-18

Real Art for Surreal Life

This is a beautiful raw meditation on how we think about ourselves and those closest to us. Marina Abramovic, as a performance artist, provides an opportunity to be still and listen to ourselves. Her art offers a surreal experience that is rendered very real by the author. Heather describes the experiences of people who visit the museum over the months of the performance, and draws out the love and meaning in their lives. The story is simple yet has wonderful depth. I like the way this novel has some elements of the biography of Marina woven into the fiction. Loved this book.

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  • Paname toujours
  • 04-01-23

So clever, so imaginative and well narrated

I pursued a MA in sculpture after attending Abramovic's Sydney show every day. Something compelling about it, about her. This story threw me back into that same atmosphere, of longing, of possibility, of connection. I loved this book, its structure and thoughtfulness.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 12-18-22

Pleasant

A pleasant listen - you have to stay focused as it dances around, then dance back.

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  • Kindle Customer
  • 08-08-20

Beautiful

Such a thoughtful book. Totally enjoyed the characters and their questions, and confusion, their complicated relationships, and thoughts regarding the meaning of life. Loved the authors ability to describe the connections we encounter in life and death. I really appreciated this lovely uplifting and interesting book. Highly recommend. Very satisfying.

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  • Mary-Lou O'Brien
  • 01-10-19

Challenges you to question life, love & pain

I loved this book as much as I love MOMA and artists, like the main character, Marina Abramovic, who challenges our perception with every creation. All the characters had beautiful stories of life, love, friendship, emotions & pain. Beautifully pulled together it was a joy to listen to.

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  • Melissa Radcliffe
  • 10-09-18

As an artist looking for inspiration- Thankyou!!

Loved it, such a beautiful description of the human spirit. Well written, with depth in characters. The the drive and struggle spoke to me as an artist. Enjoyed every word.

Thankyou so much for something so amazing and unexpected

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  • J. L. Wright
  • 10-01-18

Enter a dream with Heather Rose

To listen to this book is to be transported to the inner and outer and beyond worlds of MOMA and Marina and all who were there. Thank you to all those responsible for this reading 💜

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  • Tracey
  • 04-25-18

I loved this book!

I enjoyed the many stories and interesting characters and I particularly loved the art references, the way art was explained and music described.
It makes me want to find out more about the real people mentioned.
Beautiful

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  • Ananth
  • 04-16-18

beautiful moments here and there

The idea and enigmatic power of Abramovic is a great basis for a book. The performance art piece, 'The Artist is Present' was beautifully renders by Rose, the surrounding chattels and padding I thought dulled the concept. The characters were thin, preening and self absorbed asides from Jane Miller. For me, MML devolved into hagiography and at times insufferable sighing about art. This book is *about* art, but sadly fails to be a work of art itself. Lots of others have read it and loved it. I found it ride with affectation.