Matthew Barney
«Cremaster 3: The Order»

«CREMASTER 3» (2002) forms the spine of the cycle. As the central chapter of the five installments, it functions like a double mirror, reflecting those before and anticipating those follow. Set in New York City, the film weaves an account of the construction of the Chrysler Building, which is in character-host to inner, antagonistic forces at play for access to the process of (spiritual) transcendence. These factions find form in the struggle between Hiram Abiff or the Architect (played by Richard Serra), and the Entered Apprentice (played by Matthew Barney), who are both working on the building. The narrative of the film follows their ascent through the tower. They are reenacting the Masonic myth of Hiram Abiff, purported architect of Solomon's Temple, who possessed knowledge of the mysteries of the universe. The murder and resurrection of Abiff are reenacted during Masonic initiation rites as the culmination of a three-part process through a candidate progresses from the first degree of EnteredApprenticeship to the third of Master Mason.


(source: Matthew Barney, The Cremaster Cycle, Hatje Cantz Verlag, 2002 Ostfildern-Ruit)