ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Matthew Barney's Threatening Marriage of Paganism and the Sacred

opinion-review · 2026-04-23

The article examines Matthew Barney's work through the lens of a threatening union between paganism and the sacred. It discusses his elaborate, mythological installations and films that blend ritual, body, and material transformation. The piece likely references Barney's Cremaster cycle, which explores biological and mythological themes through complex narratives and sculptural forms. The analysis positions Barney's art as a contemporary exploration of ancient rites and symbolic systems, challenging conventional boundaries between the profane and the divine.

Key facts

  • Matthew Barney is the subject of the article
  • The article discusses paganism and the sacred in Barney's work
  • Barney is known for the Cremaster cycle
  • The work involves installations and films
  • Themes include ritual, body, and material transformation
  • The article was published in artpress
  • The publication date is May 2003
  • The article is in French

Entities

Artists

  • Matthew Barney

Institutions

  • artpress

Sources