“River of Fundament,” created by the artist Matthew Barney between the years 2007 and 2014, is a work that contributes to the Contemporary art movement. The genre of the artwork is video, reflecting an expansive and dynamic approach to art-making characteristic of the period in which it was produced.
The artwork in discussion appears to be an intricate and theatrical scene featuring elements of performance and industrial processes. In the background, two large white structures, shaped somewhat like classical figures or dripping wax forms, are displayed aloft. These figures emit flames from their tops, suggesting a form of ritualistic or transformative action. Below these enigmatic, fire-breathing sentinels is a tumultuous and brightly lit scene that appears to involve molten material and sparks, further creating a sense of intense energy and alchemical transformation.
Individuals, donned in protective gear, stand and move throughout the area, attending to various aspects of this seemingly industrial yet ceremonial process. They appear dwarfed by the scale of the operation and the grandeur of the towering forms above them. The atmosphere is punctuated by the dramatic contrast between the darkness of the surroundings and the bright, orange glow of fire and molten substance. Overall, the artwork exudes a potent combination of mythological resonance and contemporary industrial imagery, ingrained with themes of creation, destruction, and rebirth.