NO SHOW MUSEUM

Conical Intersect, 1975.

GF | B

Building cut-outs, Rue Beaubourg 27–29, Paris. Documentary: 1975, Camera: Bruno Dewitt and Gordon Matta-Clark.

This work was Matta-Clark's contribution to the Biennale de Paris in 1975. He made a huge cut through two 17th century buildings, which were later demolished to make room for the Centre George Pompidou, which was already under construction at that time. The cut had the shape of a tornado cone winding up like a spiral to the ceiling; it offered pedestrians a periscope-like glimpse into the intestines of the building. With this controlled demolition of the buildings, Gordon Matta created a kind of anti-monument, which rendered visible the problematic consequences of urban gentrification. At the same time, a fascinating beauty was revealed by these gaping holes and cuts, which are still preserved in the documentary films and photographs, though the buildings themselves no longer exists.

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Credits

All reproductions © 2014, ProLitteris, Zurich