This commanding black and white photograph documents artist Matthew Barney transformed into magician Harry Houdini at the Gellért Thermal Bath in Budapest during the filming of Cremaster 5 in 1996. The composition highlights Barney's intricate, ornate headpiece, prosthetic ear extensions, and stylized mustache as he emerges from the bathwater with sculptural poise. Photographed by Michael James O'Brien and printed on museum-quality archival inkjet paper, this work captures the theatrical gravity and operatic depth of Barney's iconic cycle. Serving as both a document of avant-garde film history and an exquisite standalone portrait, this limited-edition print represents an extraordinary acquisition for serious contemporary art collections.
Photographer Michael James O'Brien documented with beautiful and unique images the final part of Matthew Barney's lyric opera cycle about a tragic love story set in romantic Budapest. The epic's main characters are the Queen of Chains and the magician and escape artist Harry Houdini.
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Black and White Photography - Matthew Barney, Cremaster 5, Gellert Bath House
Matthew Barney, Cremaster 5, Gellert Bath House, Budapest, 1996
From the Matthew Barney series
Archival Inkjet Print.
Limited Edition.
Unframed
With 2 inches of white borders around.
Michael James O’Brien is a multifaceted artist based in Atlanta, GA, known for his work as a photographer, teacher, curator, poet, and activist. He has held solo exhibitions in major cities worldwide, including New York, Paris, Beijing, and Istanbul. His photography is part of the National Portrait Gallery’s permanent collection in London and has been featured in esteemed publications such as Rolling Stone, Vogue UK, The New Yorker, and The Guardian. O'Brien authored Girlfriend; Men, Women, and Drag, published by Random House, and contributed to Matthew Barney’s Drawing Restraint 7 and Cremaster series. A dedicated activist, he has been involved with ACTUP and various HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns, including the Love Ball and Live Positive Campaign. Currently, he serves as the Chair of Photography at the Savannah College of Art and Design and chairs the Advisory Council of Atlanta Celebrates Photography.
