04/02/2022
BOISE ART MUSEUM ANNOUNCES
Felix Gonzalez-Torres: “Untitled” (L.A.)
February 5 – May 29, 2022
Felix Gonzalez-Torres “Untitled” (L.A.)
1991
Green candies individually wrapped in cellophane, endless supply
Overall dimensions vary with installation
Jointly owned by Art Bridges and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
On loan from Art Bridges
Felix Gonzalez-Torres was known for his minimalist, often conceptual, installations and sculptures that assembled quantities of a common object, such as a string of lights, stack of paper, or individually wrapped candy, to convey complex meaning and encourage audience participation. Through the manner of displaying the artwork, along with the process of the viewer’s participation, each work became a metaphor for loss and healing, as seen in light bulbs that expire and are replaced, or as papers or candies are taken by visitors and replenished by the art museum. This cycle of depletion and renewal over time is key to the visitor’s experience with, and understanding of, Gonzalez-Torres’s creative practice. The artist sought to transform the spectator from a passive receiver to an active, reflective participant motivated by thought, feeling, and social action.
One of our goals in presenting “Untitled” (L.A.) is to restore public engagement with BAM after its long absence, due to the pandemic, which has caused us a tremendous sense of loss. It is our hope that by interacting with the installation and participating in the associated educational programs we have developed in collaboration with community partners, visitors will experience a greater connection with us as we collectively heal during a time of grief, isolation, anxiety, and depression, and as we seek solace and meaning together. By taking a candy from “Untitled” (L.A.), your participation creates the work’s ultimate meaning and shared sense of community.
Organized by the Boise Art Museum
Support provided by Art Bridges