In 1971, the pioneering artist Gordon Matta-Clark began a series of “Cuttings” in which he opened up abandoned buildings by segmenting their walls and floors - revealing new light and space. From March to June 1974, he used a chainsaw to bifurcate a New Jersey home scheduled for demolition. Carving into the foundation, he transformed the space into a temporary sculptural environment which touched on ideas of urban decay and the breakdown of traditional social and suburban structures.

“Splitting,” a film of this architectural-sculptural performance, as well sketches, an artist’s book and photographs such as this one, operate both as documents of the temporary event and works of art in their own right.