Where can I see the films?

Matthew Barney's films are screened periodically around the world. You won’t see them at the local megaplex -- they are usually shown at museums, art galleries, or movie theaters that show independent films. www.cremaster.net has a list of upcoming screenings for each film. You may be able to find clips of Barney's films on YouTube or download them from the darker corners of the internet (and bootleg DVDs occaisionally appear on ebay). However, Barney has been protective of his copyrights and unauthorized copies are usually quickly removed from the internet.

Where can I buy the Matthew Barney's films on video?

Matthew Barney's films are not available on video -- at least not unless you’re a wealthy art collector. Each film in The Cremaster Cycle was released in an edition of ten in lavish sculptural packaging and individually signed and numbered by Barney (see image below). In 2007, Cremaster 2 sold for $571,000 at the Sotheby's Contemporary Art Evening Sale.

There are rumors of a Cremaster Cycle boxed set being released by Palm Pictures (and a "preview" of the box set, apparently a hoax, was posted on YouTube) but as far as we know there are no plans for a general release of any of the Cremaster films. There is a DVD available of the “Order” sequence from Cremaster 3, but this is not the entire film. You can find the Order DVD at Amazon.com and other large retailers. From time to time, bootleg versions of Barney's videos surface, although he and gallerist/producer Barbara Gladstone have been quick to stop these unauthorized versions (see coments). "Hoist", a short film by Barney related to De Lama Lamina, was released on the Destricted DVD.

I’ve heard Matthew Barney’s work described as “film” and as “video” -- which is correct?

The Cremaster Cycle was all shot on video, but the footage is transferred to 35mm film stock for projection. Cremaster 4 was shot on BETA SP, Cremaster 1 and 5 were shot on Digital BetaCam, Cremaster 2 was shot on HDTV, and Cremaster 3 was shot on 24P HDTV, a format that records video at 24 frames per second, the same speed that film is shot and projected.

What is the “field emblem”?

The field emblem -- a capsule bisected by a horizontal line -- appears in many of Matthew Barney's films. Because of its symmetry, it is used as a symbol for a state of equilibrium. At times, a “half field emblem” appears, representing a state where one option has gained dominance. The field emblem can also be read as a symbol of an orifice in both its open (the capsule) and closed (the line) states.

Do you know where I can get a bootleg copy of the Cremaster films?

No. Please don’t ask -- requests will not receive a reply.

Can you give a message to Matthew Barney For Me?

No. This is a fan site and is in no way affiliated with Matthew Barney. Matthew Barney can be contacted through the Gladstone Gallery in New York.

Who created this web site?

CremasterFanatic.com is compiled and maintained by artist Eric Doeringer. To see other projects by Eric Doeringer, please visit www.EricDoeringer.com