Conceptual Cut

Carp became aware of Gordon Matta-Clark and his work through Chris Burden and became friends in the 1970s. In January 1977, Matta-Clark expressed to Carp that he wanted to do a major piece in Los Angeles where he would cut through a house prior to its demolition. The ideal site in L.A., according to Matta-Clark, would characterize a number of social urban conditions in a "part of town where people who are not out on an art tour could easily see it in passing."