The Big Wheel

This 29-minute documentary captures Chris Burden during the exhibition of his monumental kinetic sculpture, The Big Wheel, at Ronald Feldman Fine Arts in New York. The film features interviews with Burden and art critic Willoughby Sharp, delving into the creative process behind the 6,000-pound, spinning cast-iron flywheel, initially powered by a motorcycle.

Burden discusses the significance of The Big Wheel in relation to his earlier performance pieces and sculptural works. He reflects on various themes, such as the role of the artist in an industrial society, and the complex nature of human behavior, touching on topics like personal and mass insanity, as well as violence. This documentary provides an insightful look into the mindset of a pioneering performance artist and the concepts that drive his work.