Culture

Eva from Eva & Adele passes away, ending 34-year avant-garde art journey

Friday, 23 May 2025 12:32AM UTC

Eva, one half of the pioneering performance art duo Eva & Adele known for their boundary-breaking work since 1991, has died. Her partner Adele promises to continue their artistic legacy after the couple's 34-year journey reshaped contemporary art and gender discourse.

The art world is mourning the loss of Eva, one half of the avant-garde performance art duo Eva & Adele, whose innovative contributions have captivated audiences since their inception. Her partner, Adele, announced her passing via a heartfelt Instagram post, stating, “Eva returned to the future today. She has left this world and stepped on to the eternal stage. Her faith in the power of art was never-ending.”

Since 1991, the pair have made a significant mark on the Berlin art scene with their striking aesthetic—shaven heads and vibrant, often surreal costumes, which they described as a performance that transcends traditional boundaries. They proclaimed that “wherever we are is museum,” a philosophy that encapsulated their commitment to art as a continuous living entity rather than a mere performance fixed in time. This ethos was exemplified when Adele remarked in a 2011 interview, “We don’t just go and do a performance in a gallery and then stop being Eva & Adele afterwards.”

Although the couple never disclosed their real names or ages, they created an enduring narrative that defined their identities through the duration of their relationship, which spanned over three decades. Eva and Adele’s Munich-based gallerist Nicole Gnesa noted that “after 34 years, one month, and 10 days, the longest performance in the world has come to an end today.” This intertwining of personal and professional identity has resonated deeply, underscoring their unique standing within the art community.

In the United Kingdom, they gained notable recognition for their whimsical appearances as The Eggheads on Channel 4’s late 90s programme, Eurotrash, delivering a series of sketches that blended surrealism with entertainment. “It was video art,” Eva asserted, referencing the significant viewership and cultural impact their performances achieved, “video art but for six million viewers.”

The circumstances of Eva’s passing are deeply poignant. She died in the presence of Adele at their home in Berlin’s Charlottenburg district after undergoing surgery on her lumbar spine. In the wake of this loss, Adele has vowed to honour Eva’s legacy through her art, stating her intention to continue working on a long-term project spanning 201 canvases. “Eva told me… ‘Please keep on working,’” Adele recounted, highlighting the profound bond and shared aspirations that defined their partnership.

Eva & Adele were more than artists; they were cultural icons who challenged gender norms and conventional artistry. Their engagement with themes of identity and performance art has had lasting implications, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Their marriage in 2011 followed Eva's legal gender change, symbolising a commitment to both their personal and artistic identities, and their work continues to inspire discussions around gender freedom and representation.

Their collective journey has not only reshaped the contemporary art landscape but has also served as a beacon for many artists exploring similar themes of self-expression and identity. As the art world reflects on Eva’s indelible impact, her legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire new generations to engage with the transformative power of art.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/may/22/eva-performance-art-duo-eva-and-adele-has-died - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/may/22/eva-performance-art-duo-eva-and-adele-has-died - Eva, one half of the pioneering German performance art duo Eva & Adele, has died, her partner has announced. 'Eva returned to the future today,' a post on the pair’s Instagram page said on Wednesday. 'She has left this world and stepped on to the eternal stage. Her faith in the power of art was never-ending.'
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eva_%26_Adele - Eva & Adele were an artistic couple who claimed to have 'landed their time machines' in Berlin after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, presenting themselves as 'hermaphrodite twins from the future.' They were known for their unique performance art, which included paintings, video art, photography, and costume design. The duo never revealed their real names or ages, choosing instead to define their age by the length of their relationship. Eva passed away in May 2025.
https://www.collectorsagenda.com/en/in-the-studio/eva-adele - An interview with Eva & Adele discussing their first meeting and the beginning of their collaboration. They describe their initial encounter and the development of their shared artistic vision, emphasizing the importance of their appearance and the creation of their 'Global Artwork' sign on their VW Camper.
https://www.meer.com/en/40049-eva-and-adele - An overview of Eva & Adele's work, highlighting their continuous performance art and the concept of 'Wherever we are is museum.' The article discusses their video work 'Kisses in the Supermarket' from 1997 and their intimate thematic group 'Eros & Death,' featuring floral drawings and works with skull symbolism.
https://www.widewalls.ch/magazine/eva-and-adele-me-collectors-room - A review of Eva & Adele's exhibition at the Me Collectors Room, Berlin, showcasing their works from 1992 onward. The exhibition features videos, Polaroids, paintings, drawings, a bed installation, biographical sculptures, and costume schedules, accompanied by the launch of their new limited perfume.
https://www.polarimagazine.com/lgbt-history-month/lgbt-heroes-eva-adele/ - An article highlighting Eva & Adele as LGBT heroes, discussing their unique performance art and their commitment to gender freedom. The piece covers their marriage in 2011 after Eva's legal gender change and their impact on the LGBTQ+ community through their art and activism.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date being May 22, 2025. No earlier versions with differing figures, dates, or quotes were found. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies or recycled content were identified. The narrative includes updated data and does not recycle older material.

Quotes check

Score: 10

Notes: The direct quotes from Adele and Nicole Gnesa are unique to this report, with no earlier matches found. This suggests potentially original or exclusive content.

Source reliability

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative originates from The Guardian, a reputable organisation, enhancing its credibility.

Plausability check

Score: 10

Notes: The claims about Eva's passing are corroborated by multiple reputable sources, including The Guardian. The narrative provides specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates, supporting its plausibility.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is fresh, original, and originates from a reputable source. The claims are plausible and supported by specific details, leading to a high confidence in its accuracy.

Eva & Adele
performance art
LGBTQ+
Berlin art scene
contemporary art