Mr. Barney doesn’t consider himself a filmmaker, and rightly so; his process and method of delivery is quite different from conventional filmmaking. Film serves only to give his work the dimension of time; he imagines a work unfolding. If there were other media than film which would permit this unfolding, he will do it. Ancient Evenings, which has unfolded, live, in Detroit and in Los Angeles, will be in New York next week. Is it performance art? Is it opera? Is it narrative sculpture? As with all his work, questions only beget more questions.
For the Cremaster Cycle fans, a treat: the Chrysler Imperial and the Apprentice appear in this cycle.
At the Gladstone Gallery through 22nd October.
Matthew Barney: Drawing Restraint 17
Leonine Films 