"I've always thought of the project as a sort of sexually driven digestive system, that it was a consumer and a producer of matter. And it is desire driven, rather than driven by hunger or anything like that"
- Matthew Barney
About this Quote
In this quote, artist Matthew Barney is explaining his job as a metaphorical gastrointestinal system that is sustained by libido instead of physical hunger. He sees his project as both a customer and producer of matter, suggesting that it takes in numerous elements and transforms them into something brand-new. This might be analyzed as a commentary on the cyclical nature of desire and development, along with the power of sexuality to drive and affect creative expression. By using this analogy, Barney is highlighting the primal and instinctual nature of his job, highlighting the function of desire in its development.
About the Author