Why did Ulay sue Marina Abramović?

Marina Abramović, acclaimed as the world’s foremost performance artist, found herself embroiled in a legal battle with her former partner and collaborator, Ulay, over a dispute concerning both financial matters and the attribution of credit for their early collaborative works.

The legal proceedings initiated in November 2015, when Ulay brought Abramović to court, alleging that she had not adequately compensated him in accordance with the terms outlined in a 1999 contract governing the sales of their joint artistic creations.

The heart of the matter revolved around the royalties owed to Ulay for the sales of their collaborative artworks. The dispute reached its climax in September 2016 when a court in Amsterdam rendered a verdict in favor of Ulay.

The court determined that Ulay was entitled to receive royalties amounting to 20% net on the sales of their collaborative works, as stipulated in the original 1999 contract.

As a result of the ruling, Abramović was directed to retroactively pay Ulay a sum exceeding €250,000 in backdated royalties. In addition to the financial reimbursement, she was also instructed to cover legal costs totaling more than €23,000.

Beyond the financial aspect of the dispute, the court ruling delved into the realm of artistic attribution. Abramović was mandated to provide full accreditation for their collaborative works during specific periods.

Works created between 1976 and 1980, jointly credited as “Ulay/Abramović,” were to receive proper acknowledgment. Similarly, works produced from 1981 to 1988, credited as “Abramović/Ulay,” were also to be recognized accordingly.

The legal proceedings and subsequent verdict highlighted the intricate complexities that can arise in the aftermath of artistic collaborations, particularly when financial arrangements and attribution agreements come into question.