Body as a Matrix - Matthew Barney's Cremaster Cycle (2002)

Synopsis: This program examines Matthew Barney's epic Cremaster Cycle, a set of five films set in various locations that explore themes of sexuality, mythology, history, and athletics. In addition to... This program examines Matthew Barney's epic Cremaster Cycle, a set of five films set in various locations that explore themes of sexuality, mythology, history, and athletics. In addition to possessing many sculptural elements, Barney's work in film also includes elaborate costumes, make-up, and a variety of interesting surfaces and objects created out of metal, plastic, and Vaseline. To help viewers make sense of the densely layered Cremaster Cycle, Nancy Spector (curator for the Guggenheim museum) and Barney himself offer comment. Together, they discuss the process of how each film was created and conceived, as well as how Barney later developed the same idea into a series of sculptural works. [More]