Her ex showed up at her silent art performance. They hadn’t spoken in 22 years — and time stood still

In 1975, when Marina Abramovic and Ulay first met each other in Amsterdam, they were instantly attracted to each other. However, just as they were about to get married, they said goodbye and then didn't see each other for 22 years, as they shared with Louisiana Channel. It didn't put a full stop to their love story. In 2010, the two lovers came across each other once again in the most unexpected scene. As cameras zoomed in on their faces and people watched them from behind, their gazes locked, and soon their cheeks were glistening with silent tears. The emotion-drenched clip was posted on YouTube by Isidora Smiljkovic (@IsidoraSmiljkovic3563).

After they first laid their eyes on each other, the lovers began collaborating on art performances and became an admired couple in the world of performance art. For the next 17 years, they remained tied together not just by physical and emotional love, but also by shared artistic pursuits. During this period, they released several masterpieces, including “Rest Energy,” a snapshot of which was shared by Python (@slobodan_ukic). Then one day they planned to meet at the Great Wall of China to get married.

For five years, they waited for permission from the Chinese government. "I have been living with the wall in my thoughts for five years. Already, I feel I have walked it ten times. Already it is worn; it is polished," Ulay confessed in frustration, according to The Guardian. But strangely enough, when they finally received permission and met in the Chinese landscape, they decided to break up.

By this time, Marina had established her name as a sublime performance artist and often came under the spotlight. In contrast, Ulay considered this increasing celebrity status to be a "commercialization of their work." The two broke up and didn’t meet for 22 years. Ulay disappeared from the limelight while Marina continued to deliver art performances, even inspiring Lady Gaga and Jay-Z, according to The Guardian. She came to be known as the "grandmother of performance art." In 2010, however, their stars aligned once again. Within the walls of the New York Museum of Modern Art, Marina was participating in an exhibit called "The Artist Is Present," where people were allowed to sit for a few minutes in her presence and experience a felt connection. Contact or words weren’t allowed.

On the opening night of the exhibit, Ulay, dressed in a black suit, came to sit in front of Marina without her knowing. He adjusted his coat and took a seat on the brown chair, facing her. In the backdrop were clicking sounds and shimmering flashes of TV cameras. Marina, who was poised in a gorgeous blood-red dress with a side braid, looked up at the man.

After two long decades, their eyes locked once again. Drenched in raw emotion, Marina broke her own rule. She extended her arms across the table, reaching out to Ulay. As their hands embraced, thunderous applause erupted from the audience, celebrating the moment.