Although I find Matthew Barney's funding mechanism -- limiting the number of copies to a literal handful (10 copies) which can be afforded only by the super-rich -- fundamentally hypocritical inasmuch as video/film remains an essentially democratic medium, this is great art. I don't want to admit it, but it is.
You won't forget what you see in the Cremaster films. You may not like what you see, you may even think what you see is derivative or stupid -- but I assure you that you won't forget.
The films initiate a new language consisting not of words but of images and music. One can't view this work without becoming a part of it. Which makes it all the more tragic that you'll only ever be able to see it unless you happen to know one of the ten luckiest art collectors in the world, or happen to catch it when a museum near you decides to show it. Absolutely despicable. I hate Barney for that. But, after Cremaster, especially Cremaster 3, the best and longest of the series, I must admit that I love his work.
You won't forget what you see in the Cremaster films. You may not like what you see, you may even think what you see is derivative or stupid -- but I assure you that you won't forget.
The films initiate a new language consisting not of words but of images and music. One can't view this work without becoming a part of it. Which makes it all the more tragic that you'll only ever be able to see it unless you happen to know one of the ten luckiest art collectors in the world, or happen to catch it when a museum near you decides to show it. Absolutely despicable. I hate Barney for that. But, after Cremaster, especially Cremaster 3, the best and longest of the series, I must admit that I love his work.