Gordon Matta-ClarkCherica Convents

1977-2013

Video, 00:35:00.
Materials: hard disc with digital “HD pro res Quick Time”

Collection: M HKA / Collection Flemish Community (Inv. no. BK007808).

This original so far unused footage colour images and sound (16mm image and full track analogue sound) were recorded on the 21, 22 and 23 of June 1977, and all digitised and digitally edited and post produced in 2012 and 2013. It concerns movie images and sound testimony’s and interviews who where captured by Cherica Convents around the art project “Jacob’s Ladder” performed by Gordon Matta-Clark in June 1977 during Documenta 6 in Kassel, Germany (Location: Leipzigerstrasse and Melsungerstrasse). Jacob's Ladder was a project to honour his twin brother Batan who committed suicide by jumping out of the window of Gordon's atelier. Originally Matta-Clark wanted to hang a sort of web connecting 6 abandoned factory chimneys. He finally only got permission to install one net/ladder. This intervention is connected (in an opposite way) with other works that honoured Baton; The 'Sous-sols' in Paris, instead of reaching out to heaven in the 'sous-sols' Gordon is digging for meaning. The Jacob's Ladder is also connected with later sketches for projects high in the skye and former projects like 'Tree Dance'.