Matthew Barney's first exhibition in Japan is being held at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa in Ishikawa prefecture, which is one of the most artistic cities in Japan. Since it is far north west from Tokyo, it's not easy to get to for Tokyo residents. But when I checked some blogs, still arts fans went there by night bus or airplane. Matthew Barney is most celebrated as a sculptor and performance artist. Have you ever seen his art Cremaster 1-5?. They say Cremaster is the name of the muscle that wraps the tendon connected with the testicles, it expands and contracts with changes in the temperature. I remember that I was so impressed with this photo. Yes unfortunately only photo..., I didn't watch the movies. Most scenes seem to be so attractive, artistic and beautiful on trailer. But sometimes there are extreme, still-raw image of corporeality. I am too weak for that. You see very essential beauty in his art? Or it is not your type?
In the exhibition, his new film "Drawing Restraint 9" is released too. I did not know that this film by Matthew Barney with a soundtrack composed by Bjork, is the first creative collaboration of two, husband and wife. A Japanese tea ceremony and Whaling are the motifs of this film. I have an interest in what message he makes with the film. Talking about a national level, the US is anti-whaling, Bjork's mother land Iceland is a whaling country like Japan.
Here is some English reviews on Bjork's official site. I tried to find some Japanese reviews, but I could find only a few. One said "they are too beautiful and I forgot time". One said "As an art fan, as a Matthew fan, I just had to watch them all without sleeping at any cost, but 2 and a half hours without dialogue was very long" (yap, another raw voice too) Some said some images are extreme again (eat each other or something... I know that is metaphor, it would not be equal to cannibalism.), I am not sure I can see it all, but I would like to see this film and exhibition.
Anyway I got mails "Why do you eat intelligent Whale? Or what do you use them for?". When I get such emails, sorry I did not reply to them. Personally I don't think intelligent or not cannot be good topic for discussion. We can eat cow but we can't eat pig, because sometime pig can perform. This may sound strange. There are other good points of view for discussion. And it is easy to access information about the history of whaling. Those sites will be better for information.
The sum of behaviour is to retain a man’s own dignity, without intruding upon the liberty of others.'
Posted by: Air Jordans | Monday, November 01, 2010 at 10:11 AM
Thank you for sharing your stuff on blog.It is doubtless that we have similar interests.Something are very helpful to me.
Posted by: air jordans | Saturday, October 30, 2010 at 05:17 PM
Hi Felix.
Really! Thank you for nice information. I think I should wait DVD.
Posted by: Mari | Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 01:14 AM
I just tell you that not all the days of the exposition it is possible to watch the movie
"Drawing Restraint 9". For instance, today Saturday is not possible. Hence, if you travel to Kanazawa check this before.
Posted by: Félix | Saturday, July 23, 2005 at 11:11 PM