The Big Wheel

In the 1980 exhibition at Ronald Feldman Fine Arts, New York, artist Chris Burden unveils his monumental kinetic sculpture The Big Wheel. A cast-iron flywheel weighing 6,000 pounds spins relentlessly, initially driven by a motorcycle. As art critic Willoughby Sharp interviews Burden and Feldman, Burden elaborates on the creative process behind this intriguing piece of work. He reflects on its connection to his previous performance pieces and sculptural installations while also shedding light on his motivations and the underlying meanings in The Big Wheel. The dialogue delves into thought-provoking themes such as the role artists play within an industrial context, the complex intersection of personal insanity and collective madness, and humanity's inherent propensity for violence.