GAYLETTER

Chris Burden’s mind blowing retrospective ‘Extreme Measures’ has taken over the entire exterior and interior of the New Museum. This expansive show spanning the four decade career of this pioneering artist’s life offers “…an extraordinary opportunity to examine the ways in which Burden has continuously investigated the breaking points of materials institutions and even himself.” Start on the 5th floor where Burden’s early performance pieces are articulated in big red binders and in a video and audio installation and then work your way down.

Burden, using his body as a canvas, was crucified on the top of a VW bug, shot at with live ammo and pierced with pushpins, all in public performances that put him on the map in the 70’s. “The Big Wheel” a 6,000 pound cast iron fly wheel propelled by a motor cycle running at full throttle marks the artist’s pivotal shift to sculpture and opens the door to an array of massive sculptures and installations on display, all of which my words fail to describe. Be sure to see the heavily guarded “Tower of Power” a sculpture made of 100 solid gold 32 oz. bricks worth well over 4 million dollars in today’s market! The visceral magnitude of the works, one more intriguing than the last, left me inspired and exhausted.

Go check out a show by one of the most important artists to emerge in the last half century.

$16, Wed-Sun 11:00am-6:00pm, New Museum, 235 Bowery St. NY, NY.