Douglas Gordon's MoMA Retrospective: Sculptural Film
From June 11 to September 4, 2006, New York City's Museum of Modern Art presented a retrospective of Douglas Gordon, curated by Klaus Biesenbach. The exhibition included notable pieces such as '24 Hour Psycho' (1993), which extends Alfred Hitchcock's film into a full 24-hour experience. Biesenbach suggested that it reflects how shared media narratives can overshadow history and religion. However, critic John Yau contends that Gordon's creations are primarily sculptural rather than sociological. He likens Gordon's films to Andy Warhol's 'Empire,' asserting that their slow pace elevates and freezes narrative. In works like 'Play Dead, Real Time' (2003) with an elephant, and 'B-Movie' (1995), Gordon explores sculptural themes through film, while contemporary artists like Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst draw inspiration from cinema. Yau commends Gordon's innovative spirit and insightful perspective.
Key facts
- Douglas Gordon retrospective at MoMA, June 11–September 4, 2006
- Curated by Klaus Biesenbach
- Featured '24 Hour Psycho' (1993), a 24-hour slow version of Alfred Hitchcock's film
- Biesenbach said the work evokes shared media narratives replacing history and religion
- Critic John Yau views Gordon's work as sculpture, not sociological commentary
- Yau compares Gordon's slow films to Andy Warhol's 'Empire' (1964)
- Gordon's film 'left is right and right is wrong and left is wrong and right is right' (1999) creates a bas-relief effect
- Gordon's original works like 'Play Dead, Real Time' (2003) are sculptural studies in film
Entities
Artists
- Douglas Gordon
- Alfred Hitchcock
- Andy Warhol
- Jeff Koons
- Damien Hirst
- Rona Pondick
- Kiki Smith
- Klaus Biesenbach
- Wayne Koestenbaum
- John Yau
Institutions
- Museum of Modern Art
- MoMA
Locations
- New York City
- United States