Felix Gonzalez- Torres @MOCA
Felix Gonzalez- Torres’ solo exhibition Summer is now running at the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto. I had the privliegde of attending the show for an indepth view of the work he creates, his artistic librites in place, and why he does what he does. The exhibition took place on the entire top floor of the gallery, consisting of 5 artworks carefully curated by Rui Mateus Amaral.
Two works that particularly stood out to me- rather spoke to me in unison, are “Untitled” (Public Opinion), 1991 and “Untitled” (Golden), 1995. Many of Gonzalez- Torres’s work is left Untitled and often include a set of parentheses to aid the viewer with opportunities of reflection, the museum distributed pamphlet elaborates that Gonzalez- Torres’s strives to find new meaning through contradictions quoting “they deliberately suggest the varied ways one can approach the artworks” (2). Setting the tone for how to view and interpret his work throughout the show.
“Untitled” (Public Opinion) is a site specific work made up of nearly 700lbs of indivdually wrapped black licorice candy, spanning across the gallery floor in rectangular shape. Spectators may take candy to eat, or add to the work- I watched spectatores reluctantly lunge for the cellophane wrappings and stuff their pockets . Variations of this work have been done before at previous museums, and yet my personal understanding of the concept remains the same. For context, Felix Gonzalez- Torres’ career evolved during the HIV/AIDS health crisis, a time that was primarily reflectant of accessible health care, gender, sexuality, racial inequality etc- in fact both him and his partner passed away due to AIDS related illness . During his time he created large bodies of work that “brought him and audiences closer to an understanding of fragility and the complexity of being alive. In one moment, everything can be taken away” (1). When interpreting this work I found that quote particularly central to my assumptions. I inferred that the candy utilized within this work symbolizes the sweetness of sex, its contained pleasure that one finds itself indulging in- this is actualized through the physical taking away candy the work. But the constant reduction of the mass will conclude in the total extinction of the work- equating to this idea of everything disappearing at a given moment. Each and every encounter plays a role in the fragile life of the artwork- is love to restore or retract?
“Untitled” (Golden) presetns a similar association in theme through a differing mode of delivery. Placed in near the east facing windows hangs hundreds of gold beads, creating a warm division into an enclosed shimmering space. When entering I watched the beads sway for a couple minutes in dominio effect. The gold added a familiar, warm and oddly safe feeling- a complete solitude and mezmerizing state. The aformentioned notion of the domino effect drew me back to “Untitled” (Public Opinion), by the means of its subject matter. In ways that “Untitled” (Public Opinion) emitted feelings of indulgence and dual loss, Golden upholds such qualities through the subsequent everlasting effect on the beads. The use of movement entirely shaped my view of this work, creating a division between general solitude and the disruption to the strung beads. Every move, touch or contact leaves a residual effect to the rest, comparable to a warm range of love and indulgence or to the transmission of illness and subsequent loss. The concept of division played a significant role in interpreting this work.
In summary, Felix Gonzalez- Torres’ Summer exhibition housed impactful artworks, carefully curated to align with Felix’s regard for open interpretation and the process of finding new meaning when experiencing his art. “Untitled” (Public Opinion), 1991 and “Untitled” (Golden), 1995 worked in unison through unique modes of symbolism; such composition’s graciously left an open floor for [individual] interpretation while conforming to Felix’s fostered themes. Specifically, I interpreted both works to be reflections of indulgence and love; despite the ongoing division and subsequent loss. Summer is a politically powerful, heartfelt and evolving exhibition that brings forward LGBTQ+2S representation in an ongoing effort to educate through interpretive bodies of work.
Toronto, M. O. C. A. (2022). Summer Felix Gonzalez- Torres. Toronto, ON; MOCA.