Painter, sculptor and all-around legendary artist Louise Bourgeois lived through most of the important moments in the development of modern art before she died at age 98 in 2010. This means that she had a long time to figure out how to interact with prodding members of the press. In this video, watch Bourgeois as she shuts down an interviewer by turning on a band-saw in her studio.
Bourgeois is seen using a band-saw to cut up sculptural pieces for an assemblage, explaining why she prefers the more delicate machine over a larger buzz-saw, but both look equally formidable in the woman’s hands. Cutting means being in total control,” says Bourgeois, “You have to be quite sure to use electrical tools.” The reporter asks, “does this relate in some way to the artist’s interior?” and Bourgeois responds: “What do you mean by that? I guess you mean something. What do you mean?” and switches the band-saw back on, cutting off the interviewer.
After the luckless reporter continues and comments that there’s a lot of violent “cutting” in Bourgeois’s work– arms, legs, hands– the older woman stomps any expectation he may have had of getting a patient, explanatory answer. Bourgeois shoots back: “Don’t you cut your lambchop when you are ready to eat it, is that a crime? I’m a vegetarian, but you’re not a vegetarian,” and turns away. Badass.
According to the YouTube video’s comments, this clip is part of a greater documentary on Louise Bourgeois. Anyone know what it might be, or where it might be found? I’d love to see more good interviews and studio shots.
For more art-related videos, check out the archive of our Tuesday video column.
I can’t see it now, but it sounds very like the film that was made for the BBC series Arena. She also holds up signs that say things like ‘no trespassing’. It turns out at the end that she was not allowed to have editorial control over her own image in the film, and was having a drawn out row about it, while not withdrawing from the film. To do the filmmakers some justice this is explicit in the film. However, another issue is that there are only male experts speaking for and about her, usually in emotional terms. it is a fabulous and problematic film.
Yeah, now if her work had actually been better than it was.
I’ve seen this clip before, but can’t recall where – she was a pistol. Here’s an in depth documentary on her work, it could possibly include the same interview;
http://www.arthousefilmsonline.com/2009/03/louise-bourgeois.html