By Kimberly Powers
From Nov. 21 through Nov. 23, the Film Liberation Unit, in conjunction with the Student Activities Board, will be showing all five ‘Cremaster’ films by contemporary artist Matthew Barney in the Floyd Theatre on the third floor of the Student Activities Center. The films will be shown in a variety of orders since sequencing is not essential to the five films, collectively called the ‘Cremaster Cycle.’Admission is free and the event is open to the public, although the content of the films may not be suitable for individuals under 17.
The films” title refers to the cremaster muscle that raises and lowers the male reproductive system according to temperature, external stimulation or fear. Similarly, the subject matter of the films often revolves around the idea of ascension (undifferentiation) and distention (differentiation) in human sexual development, representing not only moments of potentiality in human creation but also the potentiality in the creation of form and narrative. The cycle was described by Michael Kimmelman of The New York Times as ‘an inspired benchmark of ambition, scope and forthright provocation for art in the new century.’
Deliberately created out of sequence (Barney began the cycle with ‘Cremaster 4’ in 1994 and ended with ‘Cremaster 3’ in 2002), the films are complex mixtures of history, autobiography and mythology drenched with interconnected symbolisms and imageries. Each film often references a certain cinematic theme; ‘Cremaster 1’ resembles a 1930″s Busby Berkeley musical. In addition to writing, directing and acting in each of the ‘Cremaster’ films, Barney has created sculptures, drawings and photographs for the films” sets.
A graduate of Yale, Barney entered the art world with instant success and controversy. Best known as the creator, producer, writer and director of the ‘Cremaster Cycle,’ Barney has won such prestigious prizes as the Europa 2000 at the 45th Venice Biennale in 1996 and the Guggenheim Museum”s Hugo Boss Award. ‘Matthew Barney is the most important American artist of his generation because his imagination is so big. Art is supposed to stick in your mind, and sometimes in your craw. Barney”s films do both,’ Kimmelman also stated in The New York Times Magazine.
Shown in a multitude of cities since 1995, admission to one of the ‘Cremaster’ films usually costs nearly $20. The films are being shown for free at U of L thanks to the Commonwealth Center for the Humanities and Society, which has paid the $1500 rental fee for the films. The center was established in 1997 to enhance humanistic scholarship, research, creative activity and public awareness at U of L and in Louisville.
All showings will occur in the Floyd Theatre, located on the third floor of the SAC. The show times are as follows:
Thur., Nov. 20 – ‘Cremaster 3,’ 2 p.m.-5 p.m.; ‘Cremaster 4 and 5,’ 6 p.m.-8 p.m.;’Cremaster 1 and 2,’ 8:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 21 – ‘Cremaster 1 and 2,’ 2 p.m.-4 p.m.; ‘Cremaster 4 and 5,’ 6 p.m.-8p.m.; ‘Cremaster 3,’ 8 p.m.-11 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 22 – ‘Cremaster 3,’ 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; ‘Cremaster 1 and 2,’ 4 p.m.-6p.m.; ‘Cremaster 3,’ 6:15 p.m.-9:15 p.m.; ‘Cremaster 4 and 5,’ 9:30p.m.-11:15 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 23 – ‘Cremaster 1 and 2,’ noon-2 p.m.; ‘Cremaster 4 and 5,’ 2:15 p.m.-4p.m.; ‘Cremaster 1 and 2,’ 4 p.m.-6 p.m.; ‘Cremaster 3,’ 6:15 p.m.-9:20p.m.; ‘Cremaster 4 and 5,’ 9:30 p.m.-11:15 p.m.
For more information about the films, including synopses and trailers, visit the ‘Cremaster’ website at www.cremaster.net.
