Untitled (Perfect Lovers)

Untitled (Perfect Lovers) is a work of art produced by Félix González-Torres between 1987-1990 and 1991.[1][2] It consists of two identical synchronized clocks, that will eventually falling out of synch. An ambiguous work of art many have interpreted it to be a commentary on Torres' partner's struggle with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and death at large.

Untitled (Perfect Lovers)
ArtistFélix González-Torres
Year1987-1990, 1991
Dimensions35.6 x 71.2 x 7 cm
LocationDallas Museum of Art

One of Torres' most famous works, it has appeared in over 70 exhibitions and has inspired multiple homages. When displayed at exhibitions and similar establishments it must adhear to specific guidelines illustrated by Torres such as the clocks having to be the same dimensions.

Background and conception

In 1988, Torres' partner Ross Laycock was diagnosed with AIDS.[3][lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2] Influenced by the idea that "art should act right now," Torres created three editions of the piece and one artist's proof From 1987–1990.[3][5] In a letter sent to Laycock in 1988, he showed a rough sketch of the piece, entitled merely Lovers.[6] In the letter Torres ruminates about time, writing:

Don’t be afraid of the clocks, they are our time, the time has been so generous to us. We imprinted time with the sweet taste of victory. We conquered fate by meeting at a certain time in a certain space. We are a product the time, therefore we give back credit were it is due: time. We are synchronized, now forever. I love you.[6]

Torres also intended for the piece to serve as a protest against the censorship of "gay art," knowing that it would be difficult for critics to show that "money is being expended for the promotion of homosexual art," with a work of art so simplistic and abstract in nature.[6] According to Shawn Diamond the piece was created to "memorialize the love he shared," with Laycock.[3] Torres described creating the piece as "the scariest thing I have ever done." [6]

Description and showcase

Untilted (Perfect Lovers) consists of two identical commercial wall clocks, signed and dated, displayed side by side.[7][8] It measures to 35.6 x 71.2 x 7 cm.[6] For showcasing the piece Torres created detailed instructions.[9] The clocks must be of exactly the same dimensions and design and they must touch.[9] The hands must be set to the same time and be able to be perpetually reset, causing the piece to theoretically last forever.[9] The clocks may fall out of synch however if one of the clocks stop, it must be fixed or replaced and both clocks reset.[9][2] The piece is to be displayed against a wall painted in light blue.[2]

Interpretations

With Untilted (Perfect Lovers) Torres wanted the audience to infer their own meaning.[2] Art critic Robert Storr expanded on this, writing:

The meaning of the image hinges on the projected fantasy of the person who stands below and looks up at an enlargement of the most eroticized zone of their everyday lives, the psychological site of their greatest longing, insecurity and discomfort, the nearly neutral screen on which memories or expectations of happiness, frustration, or deprivation can be played in the mind‘s eye.[10]

Most interpret the piece to be a mediation on Laycock's AIDS diagnosis, declining health, eventual death and their relationship at large.[2][9][11][12] Public Delivery stated that the two clocks represent "two mechanical heartbeats," commenting on "personal loss as well as the temporal nature of life."[2] They also said that the choice to have the clocks be side by side "reflects a connection between them."[2] Museum curator Jasper Sharp believed the piece to be a memento mori which represents the short-lived nature of life.[13] Catherine Ruello shared similar sentiments, saying that it "involves the themes of [vanitas]."[14]

According to Adair Rounthwaite, Torres' use of a clock, an item which only matters to the living, is a "visual metaphor for the crossover between that time and the nontime of the dead."[15] Rounthwaite also stated that the time measured represents life itself and that the piece was a response to the trauma of AIDS.[15] Margaret Anne Wojton, said that "The two clicking clocks represented Gonzalez-Torres‘s vantage point of his anguish as caregiver and survivor."[5] She also viewed the piece as an "existential metaphor," for Torres' death anxiety.[10] Shawn Diamond believed that the piece "[depicted] two figures always in proximity but unable to unite and become a single body."[3] Kevin Busit echoed similar sentiments, "They'll never be one...The fabric of their being ensures that eventually they’ll end up in conflict."[16]

Exhibitions

Untitled (Perfect Lovers) first exhibition was at Jay Gorney Modern Art, New York, from October 20 to November 20, 1990.[17] It was later included in Torres’ 1994 exhibition, “Traveling,” at The Renaissance Society in Chicago.[7] This version was made specifically for the exhibition and was neither dated or signed.[7] As of November 30, 2019 the piece has appeared in 75 exhibitions.[17]

Legacy

According to Public Delivery, Untitled (Perfect Lovers) is one of Torres' most famous works.[2] In 2002, Tobias Wong produced Perfect Lovers (Forever).[16] Identical in all but one aspect, that being Wong's clocks are synchronized with the U.S. Atomic Clock, ensuring they both stay accurate to within one second over a period of a million years.[16]

In 2008, Welsh artist Cerith Wyn Evans created a remake entitled Untitled (Perfect Lovers + 1). The only difference between +1 and the original is the addition of one clock.[11] In 2016, Frieze choose the piece as a "key artwork" from 1991–2016.[12]

gollark: The obvious solution is to reveal all implementation details of lyriclysite™ so we can do that.
gollark: Is there meant to be an image shipped with it?
gollark: But it doesn't SSH into your server.
gollark: I assumed it was a hash of something. We really need to bruteforce these things.
gollark: What happened to what?

References
  1. "Untitled (Perfect Lovers) - DMA Collection Online". Dallas Museum of Art. Retrieved 2020-07-18.
  2. "The meaning of Felix Gonzalez-Torres' Clocks / Perfect Lovers". Public Delivery. 2019-12-03. Retrieved 2020-07-18.
  3. Diamond, Shawn (2016). "Requiem for the shadows: Poetry, spirituality, and future memory in the light strings of Felix Gonzalez-Torres". Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  4. "Visual AIDS | Ross Laycock". Visual AIDS. Archived from the original on 2020-05-23. Retrieved 2020-07-18.
  5. Wojton 2010, p. 40.
  6. "The meaning of Felix Gonzalez-Torres' Clocks / Perfect Lovers". Public Delivery. 2019-12-03. Retrieved 2020-07-18.
  7. "Guide to Re-Creating "Untitled" (Perfect Lovers) by Felix Gonzalez-Torres" (PDF). Temporary Services. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 6, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  8. Martinez, Jamie (2017-06-20). "Art Exhibits, Art Magazine, Contemporary Art, Art Blogs, Art Artists". Arte Fuse. Retrieved 2020-07-18.
  9. "Gonzalez-Torres Artworks & Famous Paintings". The Art Story. Archived from the original on 2020-07-13. Retrieved 2020-07-17.
  10. Wojton 2010, p. 39.
  11. "Untitled (Perfect Lovers + 1) – Kadist". Kadist. Retrieved 2020-07-18.
  12. "25 Artworks: 1991–95". Frieze (181). August 16, 2016. ISSN 0962-0672. Retrieved 2020-07-18.
  13. Museum Wien, Kunsthistorisches (March 6, 2018). "Jasper Sharp on Felix Gonzalez-Torres and Lombardo". YouTube. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  14. "Visual AIDS | Visual AIDS utilizes art to fight AIDS by provoking…". Visual AIDS. Retrieved 2020-07-18.
  15. Rounthwaite, Adair (2010). "Split Witness: Metaphorical Extensions of Life in the Art of Felix Gonzalez-Torres". Representations. 109 (1): 35–56. doi:10.1525/rep.2010.109.1.35. ISSN 0734-6018.
  16. Buist, Kevin (February 1, 2011). "Art, Design, and Clocks". Art21 Magazine. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
  17. ""Untitled" (Perfect Lovers) - Works - Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation". The Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation. Retrieved 2020-07-18.

Notes
  1. Laycock was likely feeling the effects of HIV before his diagnosis.[3]
  2. Laycock would go on to die from complications due to AIDS on January 24, 1991.[4]
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.