The joy of being a school governor is seemingly endless and, amongst the responsibilities of being a role model for students and a voice for parents, affords me the opportunity to engage with the day-to-day life of extraordinary young people. At every encounter, I have been impressed and inspired by their enthusiasm, which is why I am currently “up to my eyes” in course work for the Art GCSE which I am taking alongside a group of very encouraging and much amused Year 10s! (It seemed like a good idea at the time…)
One of “my” artists is Felix Gonzalez-Torres, a Cuban-American installation and process artist who inspired many before his death, in 1996, of the complications of AIDS. His work is exceptional and I would like to share an epiphany with you, with regard to his piece, “Untitled” 1992. I hope that you will be encouraged and motivated to discover more of the remarkable artwork of this talented man.
To put 180lbs of packaged hard boiled candy into the corner of a room and call it “art” may seem absurd, outrageous, nonsensical or even dishonest to some; but that is to miss the point. The intellectual capacity and originality to conceive and create a work through which birth and existence, decay, scorn/protest, joy, selflessness and loss, misunderstanding, selfishness and greed, sadism/exploitation/aggression, consumption, invitation/open-ness/interaction and death – in metaphor, the life cycle – is enacted, has to embody the seed of genius.
Key:
Birth and Existence – the work is created and displayed.
Decay – the artwork deteriorates, ages and degrades during its exposure to its environment.
Scorn/Protest – produced by the perception that no art, thought or effort exists within the work.
Joy – some viewers relish the invitation to treat themselves with delicious candy and feast physically and/or intellectually on the piece.
Selflessness and Loss – the artwork is diminished by public engagement.
Misunderstanding – some viewers take the work at face value and refuse (or lack the ability) to take the time or make the effort to comprehend the many facets and deeper meaning inherent in the piece.
Selfishness and Greed – some viewers take more of the work than they need without thought for the work itself or consideration of the impact of their actions on future viewers who may consequently be deprived of the best of the work, or indeed any of it!
Sadism/Exploitation/Aggression – some outraged viewers deliberately destroy that which they neither accept nor understand as a valid expression of “art”.
Consumption – viewers digest the work, both physically and metaphorically.
Invitation/Open-ness/Interaction – viewers are encouraged to participate in the artwork and engage with it.
Death – as the artwork fulfils its function and purpose, the candy is completely consumed, the wrappers tossed carelessly and thoughtlessly aside by most viewers and the whole work is biologically and physically recycled, leaving nothing but memories. “Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust…”
“Do You Hear the People Sing, Singing the Song of Angry Men?
It is the Music of a People Who Will Not Be Slaves Again.
When the Beating of Your Heart
Echoes the Beating of the Drums;
There is a Life About To Start When Tomorrow Comes…”
(Les Miserables)
