tech
January 14, 2026
He lived in a cage, jumped from a window and spent a year roped to a friend: is Tehching Hsieh the most extreme performance artist ever?
He has broken his ankles, endured 365 days in a cell and faced down the 20th century’s worst winter. Yet he says he is not a masochist. We meet the man Marina Abramovich calls ‘the master’
TL;DR
- Tehching Hsieh, a celebrated performance artist, is known for his year-long endurance pieces.
- His notable works include 'Cage Piece' (1978-1979) and 'Time Clock Piece' (1980-1981).
- Hsieh views his art as a way to understand the world and mark the passage of time.
- He emigrated from Taiwan to the US in 1974, facing challenges as an undocumented migrant.
- His year-long outdoor performance in 1981-1982 involved living outside during the coldest winter in New York.
- Hsieh is resistant to his work being described as 'durational' or 'masochistic', focusing instead on the concept of time.
- He concluded his 'Thirteen Year Plan' in 1999, a period of making art without public exhibition.
- Hsieh emphasizes his work comes from a personal perspective, not political intent, even when themes of homelessness or carcerality are perceived.
Continue reading the original article