Gordon Matta-Clark: Anarchitect

Gordon Matta-Clark was one of the most influential artists of his generation, until his premature death in 1978. His «building cuts», consisting of aggressive interventions on the structure of derelict buildings, are still regarded as emblematic works. None of these constructions are still in existence. All that remains are photographic documents, films and drawings.

Fresh Kill

1972
16mm
13min

This film shows the destruction of Matta-Clark’s car, named Herman Maydag, by a a bulldozer in a rubbish dump. First premiered at Documenta 5 in Kassel in 1972.

Conical Intersect

1975
16mm
19min

For the Paris Biennale in 1975, Matta-Clark made a section in two terraced houses in the Georges Pompidou center, in the Les Halles district. The cut, in the shape of a distorted cone, was a reference to Anthony McCall’s film, Line Describing A Cone. This film is all that remains of the event.

Substrait, Underground Dailies

1976
16mm
30min

Exploring the variety and complexity of underground spaces of New York City: New York Central railroad tracks, Grand Central Station, 13th Street, Croton Aqueduct.