Untitled (Portrait of Ross in L.A.)
Item
-
Title
-
Untitled (Portrait of Ross in L.A.)
-
Rights
-
The Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Fair Use.
-
Creator
-
Felix Gonzalez-Torres (1957-1996)
-
Date
-
1991
-
Description
-
While this installation defies specific dimensions, it typically resembles some sort of pile without a container constraining it. Felix Gonzalez-Torres implemented this technique of piling candy for dozens of different installations with various political messages attached to them. This pile specifically is typically composed of candies in brightly colored wrappers. The original, and desired, weight of the initial candy pile is 175 pounds, the weight of Gonzalez-Torres's partner, Ross Laycock, before his death from AIDS-related complications. Visitors are allowed and encouraged to take pieces from the pile, contributing to the gradual diminishing of the pile and creating a living image of loss. Once the pile has dwindled significantly, staff are requested to replenish the pile with more candy, creating an endless cycle of loss.
-
Format
-
175 pounds of candies in variously colored wrappers. Overall dimensions vary by installation.
-
Publisher
-
Art Institute of Chicago. 2022.343
-
Contributor
-
Max Schrader
-
Subject
-
Felix Gonzalez-Torres; Gonzalez-Torres; Gonzalez; Torres; Ross Laycock; AIDS; candy; pile; installation; interactive
