Abstract

Marina Abramović and Ulay's *The Lovers* (1988) is considered one of the quintessential works of contemporary performance art, clearly reflecting conceptual art thinking. This article analyzes the symbolic meaning of the work within the context of contemporary art. The research shows that *The Lovers* not only records the farewell of two artists after more than ten years of collaboration but also transforms personal experience into an artistic symbol of time, love, separation, and the transformations in human relationships. Through the journey of walking along the Great Wall of China, the work uses the body, space, and time as constituent elements of meaning, while emphasizing process and ideas over physical products. The article also points out that the value of The Lovers does not end with its 1988 performance but continues to expand through public reception and interpretation, thereby affirming the work's position in the development of performance art and conceptual art.

Keywords: The Lovers, Marina Abramović, Ulay, performance art, conceptual art, contemporary art.