Cremaster 2

by Richard Flood, Walker Art Center

The fourth installment of Matthew Barney's ongoing series of Cremaster "operas, " Cremaster 2 is loosely based on the life of serial killer Gary Gilmore. This time out, Barney filmed in the Salt Flats of Utah, the Columbia Icefield in Canada, and New York City. The scenario revolves around Gilmore's fascination with his alleged maternal grandfather, Harry Houdini, and his desire to join Houdini in the afterlife. Cremaster 4, the first in the series, was commissioned in 1995 and shot on the Isle of Man. The second, Cremaster 1, was shot in Boise, Idaho and appeared later that same year as part of a larger exhibition of the artist's work at the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen. Cremaster 5, released in 1997, was filmed in Budapest and shown commercially at the Film Forum in New York City. With this latest installment in the Cremaster series, Barney is sure to challenge and perplex, delight and intrigue his growing audience.

112 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999