10.5 Chris Burden

Chris Burden pushed the boundaries of art through dangerous performances and physical risks. His early works, like being shot or crucified, challenged societal norms and explored the limits of human endurance, blurring the line between art and life.

Burden later transitioned to large-scale installations, creating pieces like "Urban Light" and "The Big Wheel." His legacy includes expanding the definition of art, exploring physical and mental limits, and sparking debates about the role of controversy in artistic expression.

Burden's early life and education

• Born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1946 and raised in France and Italy
• Studied visual arts, physics, and architecture at Pomona College and received his B.A. in 1969
• Earned his M.F.A. from the University of California, Irvine in 1971, where he studied under Robert Irwin and Vija Celmins

Burden's exploration of physical limits

Danger as artistic medium

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• Burden pushed the boundaries of what could be considered art by using danger and physical risk as a medium
• He challenged societal norms and expectations by putting his own body in harm's way for the sake of art
• Burden's early performances often involved self-inflicted violence or extreme physical endurance (being shot, crucified, or confined)

Endurance and self-inflicted pain

• Many of Burden's performances required him to endure long periods of physical discomfort or pain
• In "Five Day Locker Piece" (1971), Burden confined himself in a 2x2x3-foot locker for five days, exploring the limits of his physical and mental endurance
• These performances pushed the boundaries of what the human body could withstand and challenged the viewer's perception of art and the role of the artist

Burden's most notorious performances

Shoot (1971)

• In this performance, Burden had a friend shoot him in the arm with a rifle from a distance of about 15 feet
• The piece explored the idea of trust, danger, and the fine line between performance and reality
• "Shoot" became one of Burden's most infamous works and solidified his reputation as a daring and controversial artist

Trans-fixed (1974)

• Burden had himself crucified on the back of a Volkswagen Beetle, with nails driven through his palms
• The piece was a commentary on the iconography of the crucifixion and the idea of personal sacrifice for one's beliefs
• "Trans-fixed" challenged traditional notions of sculpture and performance, blurring the lines between art and life

Doomed (1975)

• In this performance, Burden lay behind a sheet of glass, with a clock placed above him
• He remained in this position for 45 hours, until a museum employee placed a container of water within his reach
• "Doomed" explored themes of time, endurance, and the relationship between the artist and the audience

Through the Night Softly (1973)

• Burden crawled through 50 feet of broken glass in his underwear, leaving a trail of blood behind him
• The piece was a commentary on the vulnerability of the human body and the idea of suffering for one's art
• "Through the Night Softly" challenged the viewer's expectations of what art could be and the role of the artist in society

Themes in Burden's work

Violence vs vulnerability

• Burden's performances often juxtaposed violence and vulnerability, exploring the tension between the two
• By putting himself in physically and emotionally vulnerable positions, Burden challenged societal norms and expectations surrounding masculinity and power
• His work questioned the glorification of violence in media and popular culture, while also highlighting the fragility of the human body

Personal risk and shared responsibility

• Many of Burden's performances involved a high degree of personal risk, both physical and emotional
• By placing himself in dangerous situations, Burden forced the audience to confront their own responsibility as witnesses and participants
• His work explored the idea that the artist and the audience share a collective responsibility for the outcome of the performance

Masculinity and its discontents

• Burden's performances often challenged traditional notions of masculinity and male identity
• By subjecting himself to physical pain and vulnerability, Burden subverted societal expectations of male strength and stoicism
• His work questioned the toxic aspects of masculinity and the pressure on men to conform to certain roles and behaviors

Spectacle and media attention

• Burden's performances often relied on the element of spectacle and the attention of the media to achieve their full impact
• By creating shocking and controversial works, Burden ensured that his art would receive widespread coverage and spark public debate
• His work explored the relationship between art, media, and society, and the ways in which they intersect and influence each other

Burden's transition to large-scale installations

B-Car (1975)

• "B-Car" was a fully functional, hand-built automobile that Burden constructed over a period of five months
• The piece marked a shift in Burden's artistic practice, from performance-based works to large-scale sculptures and installations
• "B-Car" explored themes of American car culture, consumerism, and the fetishization of technology

The Big Wheel (1979)

• "The Big Wheel" consisted of a large, 6,000-pound flywheel that was set in motion by a motorcycle
• Once the wheel was spinning, the motorcycle was disengaged, and the wheel continued to spin on its own for several hours
• The piece explored the concepts of energy, motion, and the transfer of power, as well as the relationship between man and machine

The Flying Steamroller (1996)

• In this installation, Burden suspended a 12-ton steamroller from a crane and set it in motion, creating a massive, spinning sculpture
• The piece was a commentary on the industrial age and the power of machinery, as well as a celebration of the beauty and grace of mechanical motion
• "The Flying Steamroller" challenged traditional notions of sculpture and pushed the boundaries of what could be considered art

Urban Light (2008)

• "Urban Light" is a large-scale installation consisting of 202 restored street lamps from the 1920s and 1930s, arranged in a grid formation
• The piece is a tribute to the history and culture of Los Angeles, as well as a commentary on the role of public art in urban spaces
• "Urban Light" has become one of Burden's most iconic works and a beloved landmark in Los Angeles

Burden's legacy and influence

Impact on performance art

• Burden's early performances had a significant impact on the development of performance art as a medium
• His works challenged traditional notions of what could be considered art and pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable in the art world
• Burden's performances paved the way for future generations of artists who would continue to explore the body, endurance, and physical limits as artistic subjects

Exploration of physical and mental limits

• Burden's work was characterized by a deep exploration of the physical and mental limits of the human body
• His performances often involved extreme physical endurance, pain, and risk, pushing the boundaries of what the body could withstand
• Burden's work challenged societal norms and expectations surrounding the body, masculinity, and the role of the artist

Innovations in sculpture and installation

• In addition to his groundbreaking performances, Burden was also a pioneering figure in the fields of sculpture and installation art
• His large-scale works, such as "B-Car," "The Big Wheel," and "Urban Light," challenged traditional notions of what sculpture could be and how it could interact with the viewer
• Burden's installations often incorporated elements of performance, technology, and public participation, blurring the lines between different artistic mediums

Controversy and its role in art

• Throughout his career, Burden's work was often met with controversy and public outcry
• His performances, which often involved violence, danger, and taboo subjects, challenged societal norms and sparked heated debates about the role of art in society
• Burden's work raised questions about the ethics of art, the responsibilities of the artist, and the relationship between art and media attention
• Despite the controversy surrounding his work, Burden remained committed to pushing the boundaries of what was possible in art and challenging the viewer's perceptions and expectations