Images From Cremaster 4 and Cremaster 1 (05:50)

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A red-wigged man discovers several ears on his scalp. Matthew Barney discusses his view of the world and of art. Barney’s created images often include testicle imagery.

Image Juxtaposition and Metaphor (05:38)

Barney juxtaposes images of exotic women and a sports field on which formations appear. The reproductive system is a metaphor in two of the Cremaster Cycles.

Cremaster 2 (04:31)

The organizing principle for Cremaster 2 is Mailer's "The Executioner's Song." Men ride bulls in a surreal arena. Barney's associate describes the exhaustive preparation for one of Barney's projects.

Cremaster 3 (04:23)

Barney and his crew prepare for a large project. Barney's projects are evolutionary, starting from a sketch and developing in different directions. Vaseline is a key ingredient in Cremaster 3.

From Film to Museum (04:32)

Barney's installations are filmed as a way of testing the final results. Moving images can function as texts to generate forms. Barney's crew transports a large object from Cremaster 2 to the museum.

Cremaster 2 and Gary Gilmore (04:36)

Barney creates a project around Gary Gilmore. The scene is a gas station. Cameras pan the scene from many angles. Barney talks about Gary and his girlfriend. Both of them owned 1966 Mustangs.

Cheetah Legs (04:57)

A female plays four very different roles. In each role she wears different legs such as clear plastic, carbon fiber, and hooves. A man's face becomes bloodied by a kiss.

Heroic Journey (03:33)

Nancy Spector, Guggenheim curator, discusses Matthew Barney's work. She sees a heroic journey in the narrative motif of his work. Spector compares Houdini and Barney.

Cremaster 5 (06:14)

Barney's make-up artist discusses the make-up challenges of Cremaster 5. The character's sexuality is blurred. Testicle imagery appears in the ugly giant's "quest."

Moving Sculpture and Music (06:14)

Guggenheim curator, Nancy Spector, describes Barney's work as moving sculpture. Jonathan Bepler, composer, says that the music is another actor in a Barney film. Music plays different roles.