# Anne Imhof redefines performance art for the TikTok age

> The German artist captivates audiences with slow-moving, bass-heavy performances that blend high fashion with contemporary dance.
- Title: Anne Imhof redefines performance art for the TikTok age · TIME
- Summary: The German artist captivates audiences with slow-moving, bass-heavy performances that blend high fashion with contemporary dance. Anne Imhof has made…
- Keywords: anne imhof, performance art, doom: house of hope, park avenue armory, balenciaga, valentino, serralves museum, tai kwun, hong kong ballet, contemporary art, germany, new york city
- Source: TIME — https://time.com/collection/time100-art/2026/anne-imhof
- Published: 2026-09-17T12:01:32.479+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: anne imhof, performance art, doom: house of hope, park avenue armory, balenciaga, valentino, serralves museum, tai kwun, hong kong ballet, contemporary art, germany, new york city
## A new era of performance
Anne Imhof creates slow-moving, bass-pounding tableaux that hold attention even in our distracted age. Her work has redefined what performance art can be.
## Doom drew massive crowds
Her three-hour epic Doom: House of Hope, loosely based on Romeo and Juliet, attracted 9,000 visitors across 10 dates at New York's Park Avenue Armory in 2025.
## Fashion meets ballet
Doom cast Balenciaga models alongside professional ballet dancers. The fusion made it one of 2025's most talked-about artistic projects.
## Fashion brands love her aesthetic
Imhof's angsty-cool style has made her a favorite of fashion houses. She co-starred in Valentino's Cruise 2026 campaign this past year.
## A permanent swimming pool sculpture
She unveiled a monumental public sculpture of a swimming pool outside the Serralves Museum in Porto, Portugal. It's her first permanent outdoor work.
## First solo show in Asia
In September, Imhof opens a survey exhibition at Hong Kong's Tai Kwun center. It includes a new performance with the Hong Kong Ballet.
## Key takeaway

Anne Imhof has made performance art culturally relevant again by combining fashion, dance, and immersive spectacle.