Marni Kotak facts for kids

Marni Kotak is an American artist born in 1974. She is famous for her unique art performances. One of her most well-known works was called The Birth of Baby X. In this performance, she gave birth to her son, Baby X (also known as Baby Ajax), as a live art show. This happened at the Microscope Gallery in Brooklyn, New York, USA, on October 25, 2011.

Marni Kotak's Education and Early Art

Marni Kotak studied art at two different colleges. She earned her first degree from Bard College. Later, she received her master's degree from Brooklyn College in 2006.

During her time at Brooklyn College, she was one of 18 students whose final art show was stopped by city officials. The students felt this was unfair. They took the city to court and reached an agreement. They received some money and a formal apology from a city commissioner.

What is Performance Art?

Marni Kotak's art often involves showing her everyday life as a performance. She believes that ordinary actions can be art.

For example, she has created art by acting out her own birth again. She also made a performance piece about attending her grandfather's funeral. Currently, she is working on a long-term art project called Raising Baby X. In this project, she shows that the daily act of raising a child can also be a form of art.

Awards and Recognition

Marni Kotak has received several important awards for her art. She won a Franklin Furnace Fund award in 2012-2013. She also received a grant from the Brooklyn Arts Council. In 2011, ARTINFO magazine named her one of the "Women Who Shook Up The Art World." This recognized her as an artist who made a big impact.

About Marni Kotak's Life

Marni Kotak grew up in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. Today, she lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. She is married to Jason Robert Bell, who is also a well-known artist. They often work together on art projects.

See also

• Microscope Gallery