Burden

Capturing the complex, mysterious, and enthralling qualities of legendary contemporary artist Chris Burden’s life, this documentary becomes a captivating document of its own. One of the most admired artists of his generation, Burden began his career with a series of astonishing performances while a still student in Southern California—statements of endurance and protest that included having himself shot, shut in a locker for five days, and crucified on the back of a VW bug. Reinventing his career, Burden then focused on mesmerizing installations and sculptures, including the assemblage of streetlights that greets visitors outside the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and a 1990 installation on the exterior of the Wexner Center. (90 mins., DCP)