A couple years ago, I checked into Matthew Barney's Cremaster series of conceptual art installations, after hearing about them from some friends. Generally, I'm rather dismissive of 'conceptual art' - but was impressed, anyway.

Then earlier this year I saw "Destricted", which was a Matthew Barney driven film-work. (Look it up for a description, as I couldn't hope to describe it adequately.)

So, tonight I happened across a model's portfolio that had some exceptional imagery in it, that for all the world, reminded me of Matthew Barney and his conceptual whirlwind.

And just now, I was working on some photos from a shoot I did earlier in the week, and realized that parts of the work echoed some Barney-like elements that apparently were in my subconscious somewhere, and managed to work their way to the surface.

So, apart from this barely cohesive string of thoughts are a few questions:
Have you discovered that you were inspired without realizing it?
What was it that inspired you?
What is up with Matthew Barney?

I'm constantly inspired by things without realizing it - I get inspired just walking out my front door!

Oh, I do understand that. Maybe the question is better posed as whether anyone has been inspired subconsiously by something that they disliked.

I think when I see something of extraordinary beauty, I'm obviously inspired..."the breath of god", as it were. But in what ways can rejection of an aesthetic inspire you?

I'm constantly inspired by the work of Joel-Peter Whitkin. Sometimes his work disgusts me and some times it scares me but it never, ever leaves me feeling good.

Ah, Joel-Peter Witkin... I'd kinda forgotten about him.

I can see that... adequately distubing, but ultimately quite skillful...

Matthew Barney's show is still up at the SF MOMA.

My ticket in was the biggest waste of my friend's $12, ever. I sure as hell wasn't going to pay to get in, but she really wanted to go, so I suffered through it. She wasn't exactly pleased with his work, either.