List of works of art by Cuban-born American conceptual artist Félix González-Torres
Cuban-born American artist Félix González-Torres (November 26, 1957 – January 9, 1996) produced a wide variety of artworks during his lifetime. Comprising pieces that are often open-ended in their formal presentation and range across many mediums, combining elements of drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, video, and installation art, González-Torres' body of work is relatively small but influential.[1] The majority of the artist's formal works were accompanied by certificates of authenticity that often also specified - or expressly didn't specify - installation instructions,
either directing the owner or presenter of the works to follow installation guidelines, or empowering them to make decisions on how to construct, arrange, or install the works.[2] Given the participatory nature of many of González-Torres' works, including his interactive paper stack and candy spill works that must eventually be replenished, these certificates also sometimes specified how to reproduce or where to purchase the materials needed to sustain the works.[3][2] For a large number of the artist's works, these certificates are the only permanent component, as the other portions of the work (e.g. piles of candy, stacks of paper, etc.) are purchased or reproduced by the owner or presenter of the work.[3][1]
Below are chronological, though incomplete, lists of the artist's works. Nearly all of González-Torres' formal works are named some variant of "Untitled", with the quotation marks a formal element of the title; many different works across different mediums have identical titles.[3] Full medium descriptions, work dimensions, and edition sizes are included with each listing, along with locations in public collections noted where known, to aid in differentiation between works. While several works on these lists were created in collaboration with other artists, these lists do not include works González-Torres created or helped create as a member of Group Material or other named artist collectives.
González-Torres' output can be sorted into three discrete categories, each of which has its own list below: formal works, disavowed "non-works," and "additional material" circulated by the artist.[4] Formal works are works of art completed or conceptualized by the artist during his lifetime that he formally considered to be part of his oeuvre; the majority of these works are extant and owned by public or private collections. The artist's formal works are the most widely known, cited, and exhibited elements of his artistic output. "Non-works" are works that the artist created and exhibited during his lifetime but later disavowed and declared no longer works of art. González-Torres disavowed and destroyed nearly all works created prior to 1988, including nearly all of the work he created while attending university in Puerto Rico and most of his early output from his time in New York.[4][5] Non-works are assumed to be destroyed unless otherwise noted.[4] "Additional material" comprises sketches, photographs, objects, and other ephemera that had served as precursors to the final physical or conceptual form of formal works, as well as versions of formal works outside of the official editions. The artist circulated these materials with friends, collectors, and other artists, but did not consider them to be formal works of art.[5][4] Many of the additional materials are nearly identical to formal works by the artist.[4] Additionally, some public and private collections have retained or acquired individual papers from installations of one or more of the artist's endlessly replenishable paper stack works;[6][7][8] these individual sheets were not considered works in themselves by the artist and these collections are not included on these lists.[3]
Images of González-Torres' work are subject to copyright by the Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation, formed in 2002 by the artist's estate as the sole licensor of copyright. Catalogue numbers are references to the 1997 catalogue raisonné of the artist's work, along with the Foundation's public archival catalogue.[9] Neither of these catalogues include every piece of material the artist created or conceptualized during his lifetime, and these lists may not be exhaustive.
List of formal works
Formal works are works of art deemed to be part of González-Torres' oeuvre by the artist during his lifetime. Three works on this list were conceptualized during the artist's lifetime and executed posthumously. Catalogue numbers for formal works were formatted as a sequential numbered list in the 1997 catalogue raisonné; the corresponding catalogue numbers were amended and re-numbered for the Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation's public catalogue, in line with the numbering system from the artist's original gallery catalogue.[10] This list defaults to sorting works by their catalogue number in the Foundation's catalogue.
Many of the works in González-Torres' formal oeuvre were accompanied by certificates of authenticity; six series of works in particular were universally accompanied by these certificates.[3] The certificates for these series - replenishable stacks, candy pieces, billboards, lightstrings, beaded curtains, and date portraits - included extensive language defining the works conceptually and physically. Replenishable stacks, date portraits, beaded curtains, and candy pieces are marked in the Notes column on the full list of works to distinguish them from others.
Replenishable stacks: Certificates include the original type and weight of paper used for the first manifestation of the work, with instructions to use a similar paper if the original is not available; descriptions of what is printed on the paper and how it was printed; an ideal height at which the stack should be installed; instructions allowing viewers to take individual sheets from the installed work; instructions allowing the owner to replenish the stack; language specifying that individual sheets taken from the work do not themselves comprise individual works of art; and language defining the work as unique by its ownership, explained to mean that it can be manifested in multiple locations at once without its uniqueness being threatened.[3]
Candy pieces: Certificates include the original type of candy or wrapper used for the first manifestation of the work and the original supplier of the candy, with instructions to use a similar candy if the original is unavailable; an ideal weight at which the piece should be installed and the original installation layout; instructions allowing viewers to take individual candies from the installed work; instructions allowing the owner to install the work in a layout of their liking and to replenish the candies when they see fit; and language defining the work as unique by its ownership, explained to mean that it can be manifested in multiple locations at once without its uniqueness being threatened.[3]
Billboards: Certificates include the original image for the work; language allowing the owner to install the image as a billboard, concurrently in multiple public outdoor locations as many times as desired, as well as applied directly to a wall indoors in one place at a time, printed to the size of the entire wall; instructions on how to crop the image; requirements for the work to be installed outdoors at least once if borrowed for an exhibition; and language defining documentation of the work as a formal conceptual element, along with requests for owners and exhibitors to document each installation of the work.[10] Three billboard works significantly differ in their conceptual format, as noted in the full list: "Untitled" (Portrait of Austrian Airlines) (1993); "Untitled" (For Parkett) (1994); and "Untitled" (1994-1995).
Lightstrings: Certificates include technical specifications about the lights, sockets, and cords, with instructions to use similar bulbs if the originals are unavailable; language defining the work as complete when owners choose their own unique configuration and install it; instructions allowing the work to be installed in different manifestations whenever the owner desires; requirements for the bulbs to be replaced as they burn out; and instructions to exhibit the work with all the lights either on or off.[10]
Beaded curtains: Certificates include the original type, dimension, color, and order of beads used for the first manifestation of the work, with instructions to use a similar bead if the originals are unavailable; instructions allowing the owner to install the work in one or more entranceways into a room; and requirements that the beads hang from the ceiling to the floor and span the width of the entire entranceway.[10]
Date portraits: Certificates include the original text and years chosen by the artist and owner; instructions allowing the owner to add to or subtract from the original list of text and years, as well as to change the location of the work; ideal installation instructions, with the work painted directly onto the wall(s) just below where the wall meets the ceiling; color and font specifications, with the text to be in silver paint and Trump Mediaeval Bold Italic typeface on a wall color of the owner's choice; instructions allowing the text size to change whenever the work is reinstalled to fit the new location; and language defining the work as unique by its ownership, explained to mean that it can be manifested in multiple locations at once without its uniqueness being threatened.[10]
92 x 20 in (233.68 x 50.8 cm) overall; three parts; frames: 14 1/8 x 15 7/8 in (35.88 x 40.32 cm) each; puzzles: 7 1/2 x 9 1/2 in (19.05 x 24.13 cm) each
C-print jigsaw puzzles in plastic bag and wall lettering
15 x 18 in (38.1 x 45.72 cm) overall; three parts; puzzle one: 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 in (24.13 x 19.05 cm); puzzle two: 7 1/2 x 9 1/2 in (19.05 x 24.13 cm); wall lettering: 1/2 x 3 in (1.27 x 7.62 cm)
Wooden pedestal and photocopy on paper, endless copies
Stack: 6 in (15.24 cm) at ideal height x 11 x 8 1/2 in (27.94 x 21.59 cm) [original paper size]; pedestal: 30 x 12 1/2 x 9 1/2 in (76.2 x 31.75 x 24.13 cm)
Replenishable stack; text on paper: "VETERANS DAY SALE"; originally exhibited together with "Untitled" (Memorial Day Weekend) (1989) as "Untitled" (Monuments)[123]
Replenishable stack; text on paper: "MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND"; originally exhibited together with "Untitled" (Veterans Day Sale) (1989) as "Untitled" (Monuments)[132]
Overall dimensions variable; ideal overall dimensions: 35 x 88 1/2 in (88.9 x 224.79 cm) [approx.]; five parts; part one: 16 3/4 x 14 in (42.54 x 35.56 cm); part two: 23 7/8 x 14 in (60.64 x 35.56 cm); part three: 30 x 20 in (76.2 x 50.8 cm); part four: 24 x 20 in (60.96 x 50.8 cm); part five: 20 7/8 x 20 in (53.02 x 50.8 cm)
9 in (22.86 cm) at ideal height x 59 x 59 in (149.86 x 149.86 cm) overall; four parts, 9 in (22.86 cm) at ideal height x 23 x 23 in (58.42 x 58.42 cm) each [original paper size]
Replenishable stacks; four stacks arranged in a square[141]
"Untitled"
1990
Print on paper, endless copies, 3 stacks
17 in (43.18 cm) at ideal height x 87 x 23 in (220.98 x 58.42 cm) overall; three parts; first stack: 17 in (43.18 cm) at ideal height x 29 x 23 in (73.66 x 58.42 cm) [original paper size]; second stack: 12 in (30.48 cm) at ideal height x 29 x 23 in (73.66 x 58.42 cm) [original paper size]; third stack: 8 in (20.32 cm) at ideal height x 29 x 23 in (73.66 x 58.42 cm) [original paper size]
Original drawing: 20-22 in (50.8-55.88 cm) at ideal height x 29 x 23 in (73.66 x 58.42 cm) [approx.]; original installation: 20 in (50.8 cm) at ideal height x 33 1/4 x 26 1/4 in (84.45 x 66.67 cm) [original paper size]
Photograph titles: Patriot (A), Historian (B), Ranchman (C), Scientist (D), Soldier (E), Humanitarian (F), Author (G), Conservationist (H), Naturalist (I), Scholar (J), Explorer (K), Statesman (L), Club 21 (M);[201] Ed. 1 and 2 were sold as complete sets which must remain under sole ownership, Ed. 3 was split into its component photographs which were sold individually; all three editions include photograph M (Club 21), but the artist deemed that it should not be exhibited with Ed. 1 or 2 when they are publicly shown[202]
"Untitled"
1982/1990
Newsprint on paper, framed
12 3/4 x 34 in (32.38 x 86.36 cm) overall; three parts, 12 3/4 x 10 in (32.38 x 25.4 cm) each
Consists of two black-framed, battery-operated commercial clocks; separate artwork from "Untitled" (Perfect Lovers) (1991) [GF1991-007][209]
"Untitled"
1989/1990
Print on paper, endless copies, 2 stacks
26 in (66.04 cm) at ideal height x 29 x 56 in (73.66 x 142.24 cm) overall; two parts, 26 in (66.04 cm) at ideal height x 29 x 23 in (73.66 x 58.42 cm) each [original paper size]
Replenishable stacks; text on paper: "SOMEWHERE BETTER THAN THIS PLACE" (first stack), "NOWHERE BETTER THAN THIS PLACE" (second stack);[192] listed in 1997 CR as a 1990 work[187]
"Untitled" (Spaghetti)
1990
Print on paper, endless copies
8 1/2 in (21.59 cm) at ideal height x 58 x 42 in (147.32 x 106.68 cm) [original paper size]
Consists of two white-framed, battery-operated commercial clocks and paint on wall; separate artwork from "Untitled" (Perfect Lovers) (1987-1990) [GF1990-040][214]
"Untitled" (14 Days of Bloodworks)
1991
Acrylic, gesso, and graphite on canvas
Overall dimensions variable; fourteen parts, 20 x 16 in (50.8 x 40.64 cm) each
The artist deemed that the work should only be displayed privately by the collector who purchased it, meaning it is represented in exhibitions with wall text but remains physically at the collector's private home;[247] objects were added to the work by the artist over time following its sale, including one AP each of "Untitled" (1991) [GF1991-081] and "Untitled" (Key West) (1992), which are not themselves autonomous works of art and must remain with this work.[244]
"Untitled" (We Don't Remember)
1991
Print on paper, endless copies
8 in (20.32 cm) at ideal height x 29 x 23 in (73.66 x 58.42 cm) [original paper size]
20.3 cm (8 in) at ideal height x 76.2 x 61 cm (31 1/2 x 29 1/2 in) [original size]; bound booklets: 12 pages, 15.2 x 10.2 cm (6 x 4 in) each [original size]
Billboard/date portrait; work consists of a list of the cities served by Austrian Airlines along with the year the airline began flying there, printed in white text on a green background, installed as a variably sized billboard or round advertising column.[478]
"Untitled" (Strange Music)
1993
Light bulbs, porcelain light sockets, and electrical cord
Overall dimensions variable; 43 ft (13.1 m) length, 20 ft (6.1 m) extra cord[474]
Work is not considered complete until installed and is permanently destroyed when uninstalled;[497][505] published by Parkett-Verlag, Zürich, for Parkett no. 39[497]
"Untitled" (21 Days of Bloodwork - Steady Decline)
1994
Gouache and graphite on paper
Overall dimensions variable; twenty-one parts, 16 1/2 x 12 3/8 in (41.91 x 31.43 cm) each
Portfolio of photogravures on Somerset Satin paper in silk covered archival box
Overall dimensions variable; eight parts, 12 1/2 x 15 1/2 in (31.75 x 39.37 cm) each
12, 6 APs
Colección Jumex, Mexico City;[518] Hessel Museum of Art, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York;[519] Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York;[520] and Whitney Museum, New York[521]
Conceptualized during the artist's lifetime for an unrealized exhibition at CAPC Bordeaux;[561] realized posthumously in conjunction with Felix Gonzalez-Torres (2023), David Zwirner Gallery, New York;[562] work consists of two indoor billboards on wooden structures and includes sound installation of a recording of applause following a 1990 performance by Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman at Carnegie Hall, New York[563]
"Untitled" (Sagitario)
1994-1995
Medium variable, water
24 x 12 ft (7.3 x 3.6 m) overall; two parts, 12 ft (3.6 m) diameter each
Conceptualized during the artist's lifetime for an unrealized exhibition at CAPC Bordeaux;[565] first realized posthumously as two circular pools of water embedded in the ground outdoors, in conjunction with No es sólo lo que ves: Pervirtiendo el minimalismo (2000-2001), from the exhibition series Versiones del Sur: Cinco propuestas en torno al arte en América, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid;[564][566] realized posthumously for a second time, as two pools of water embedded in the floor indoors, in conjunction with Felix Gonzalez-Torres (2023), David Zwirner Gallery, New York.[562]
"Untitled"
1992-1995
Medium variable, water
14–16 in (35.56–40.64 cm) at ideal height x 24 x 12 ft (7.3 x 3.6 m) or 48 x 24 ft (14.6 x 7.3 m)
Conceptualized during the artist's lifetime for an outdoor sculpture competition at Western Washington University; realized posthumously as two circular pools of water carved from marble, in conjunction with the artist's solo exhibition at the 52nd Venice Biennale (2007)[565][568]
List of non-works
These non-works were created and exhibited by the artist during his lifetime but disavowed - and in most cases destroyed - before his death. Most of González-Torres' output prior to 1988 was deemed a non-work by the artist and formally disavowed; most of these works are no longer extant. Many of these non-works are similar to formal works; these are noted where known. Non-works included in the 1997 catalogue raisonné were given catalogue numbers in sequential roman numerals; the corresponding catalogue numbers from the Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation are the same, with the addition of "N-W" for non-work. Non-works that were not included in the 1997 CR do not have catalogue numbers.
Title
Year
Medium
Dimensions
Edition size
Public collection(s)
1997 CR no.
Foundation cat. no.
Notes
Sociedad or Derretimiento de la Sociedad [Recorded title]
Created and performed in collaboration with artists Rosa Balsera and José Pérez Mesa for Sociedad / Derretimiento de la Sociedad (1978), University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan; 25 papier-mâché masks were placed on twenty blocks of ice in a line on the university campus[569]
Created and performed in collaboration with artists Rosa Balsera and José Pérez Mesa for Wrapped (1978), University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan; a dead tree in the university's Plaza Antonia Martínez was wrapped in 40 yards of fabric[570]
Performed in conjunction with TV Vacío-Vacío (1979), University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan; artist read aloud a text on everyday topics related to television while two people sat in front of a TV monitor with no signal[577]
Created and performed in conjunction with poet Aleida Amador for Óxido, sueños sobre una cama de hielo (1982), Residencia Aboy-Lompré, San Juan; artist covered himself in sunscreen wearing swim trunks and laid down on blocks of ice in front of a board with text, while poems by Amador were read aloud[587]
Felix Gonzalez-Torres, 'Rust, dreams on an ice bed', Casa Aboy, San Juan Puerto Rico, January 23, 1982 [Formerly titled]
Published in High Performance Magazine, Spring-Summer 1982; written text and photo-documentation of performance at Residencia Aboy-Lompré, San Juan[588]
Executed in conjunction with Metro Bus Show (1984-1985), CEPA Gallery, Buffalo, New York; work was installed on a bus that traveled through the city on multiple routes[590]
Published in Center for Exploratory Perceptual Art Bulletin, November 1984, in conjunction with Metro Bus Show (1984-1985), CEPA Gallery, Buffalo, New York; includes photos, text, and a poem titled Fetishism[591]
Sin Título [Formerly titled]
c.1985
Color photographs and text
Overall dimensions variable, fifteen parts, 13 x 9 1/2 in
Executed and displayed in Petrosino Square, New York, for a rotating public art exhibition sponsored by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council; originally referred to by the artist as "Untitled" (Quatrenium)[600]
Executed in conjunction with Do It (1994), Kunsthalle Ritter Klagenfurt; artist instructed curator to "Get 180 lbs of a local wrapped candy and drop in a corner."[614]
List of additional materials
These materials are not formal works of art by the artist, as he specified prior to his death. Many of these listed materials are similar to, earlier iterations of, or studies for formal works the artist eventually exhibited and sold; these are noted where known. Catalogue numbers for additional materials were formatted as "A#" in the 1997 catalogue raisonné; the corresponding catalogue numbers from the Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation are the same, with the addition of "M" for additional material.
Source image for formal work "Untitled (Long Line of Life) (1991) [GF1991-058][628]
"Untitled" (Alice B. Toklas' and Gertrude Stein's Grave, Paris) [Formerly titled]
1992
C-print, framed (one unframed)
5 x 7 in (first version, paper size); frame 14 1/2 x 17 in, image 8 x 10 in (second version); frame 13 3/4 x 16 1/2 in, image 6 x 9 3/4 in (third version)
^""Untitled" (L.A.)". Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
^""Untitled"". Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
^"Friends & Lovers". Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
^""Untitled" (We Don't Remember)". SKD (in German). Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden. Archived from the original on 16 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.