'Red Period' shows a close up of Abramovic in monochrome red. With a seducing smile she gestures with her finger to invite the viewer closer. As her expression varies from tempting to ambiguous teasing, she holds her index finger straight up in front of her face. Moving the finger from side to side (almost like sign of warning), the screen eventually fades to black. All that can be seen then is an extreme close-up of the top of her head, all black, and her eyes at the bottom of the screen. Slowly, she lifts her head to reveal her face, which has a look of sleepiness. She rubs her face, yanks her hair and seems slightly more disgruntled, alluring, then girly again. With her eyes closed she gently bites her pinkie and puts it seductively into her mouth. S…e traces the contours of her face with her fingertips until the images fade to black again. Although the work can also be placed in the context of earlier and later works by Abramovic that often employ colour as a symbolic transmitter of energy, 'Red Period' also appeals for another reading; since Abramovic obviously plays with her femininity here, the colour red seems to refer to the red light used by prostitutes to disguise their identity and make them more attractive. The video is part of the 16-channel installation 'Video Portrait Gallery' (Abramovic 1975-2002). Read more...