Performance Artist Gives Birth in New York Gallery

Video will be added to an upcoming exhibit
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 26, 2011 9:35 AM CDT
Performance Artist Gives Birth in New York Gallery
Marni Kotak is shown leaning on a birthing pool at the gallery, which has been converted into a birthing room, ahead of her baby's delivery, Oct. 17, 2011.   (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Yep, she went through with it. New York performance artist Marni Kotak gave birth to a healthy baby boy yesterday morning at the Microscope Gallery in Brooklyn's Bushwick neighborhood, in front of a small crowd of family, friends, and select spectators, the AP reports. "The atmosphere in the gallery was magical," writes Katarina Hybenova of the Bushwick Daily, who was one of those spectators. "I believe that all of the participants were deeply moved by this emotional, raw, and true 'piece of art.'"

The Village Voice, meanwhile, just missed the birth; by the time they arrived they saw "Kotak calmly eating a banana, the placenta in a bowl, and the baby's father, Jason, holding his son who was wrapped in a blue towel. The beautiful baby boy was wide-eyed, and as quiet as could be." The baby, previously known only as Baby X, has been named Ajax. Video of his birth—along with remnants from it—will be added to the exhibition, which runs through November 7. (More performance art stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X