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Requiem for the Shadows: Poetry, Spirituality, and Future Memory in the Light Strings of Felix Gonzalez-Torres

Diamond, Shawn E
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1461781004

Abstract Details

2016, MA, Kent State University, College of the Arts / School of Art.
After Ross Laycock's diagnoses of AIDS Felix Gonzalez-Torres began producing his most mature and eloquent work. This thesis focuses upon Gonzalez-Torres’ light strings, basing itself upon the artist's statement that all of his works were made for an audience of one, his lover, Ross Laycock. Three different lenses are used to understand the intricate conceptualism of the light strings. The first of which sheds light upon the poetical means Gonzalez-Torres employs to connect his work with Laycock and act as a love poem from the artist, himself. Following this, the project explores how the artist represents spiritual means of perfection throughout the light strings. The final chapter delves into Gonzalez-Torres' representations of memories the couple has had and the validity of the memories which the couple never had. This project is constructed upon a framework in reference to the theory of `ghosts' and `haunting' as vocalized by Avery F. Gordon. This sociological theory is expanded to an idea of 'shadows' that are subject to alterations in depictions and are a manifestation of an affect-rooted nature. To stay as true as possible to the artist's intent the project puts forth and supports the assumption that Gonzalez-Torres created a set of rules in which he allowed his work to live, the most important of which being that he could not give his work any power beyond what humans are capable of. By illuminating a love lost in his light strings Gonzalez-Torres hopes to extend his pain to an audience that would be able to make a change when he was gone.
John-Michael Warner (Advisor)
Albert Reischuck (Committee Member)
Gustav Medicus (Committee Member)
Fred Smith (Committee Member)
Diane Scillia (Committee Member)
72 p.
Art History
Felix Gonzalez-Torres; Ross Laycock; AIDS; Art; Affect Theory; Avery F Gordon; Poetry; Spirituality; Future Memory

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Diamond, S. E. (2016). Requiem for the Shadows: Poetry, Spirituality, and Future Memory in the Light Strings of Felix Gonzalez-Torres [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1461781004

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Diamond, Shawn. Requiem for the Shadows: Poetry, Spirituality, and Future Memory in the Light Strings of Felix Gonzalez-Torres. 2016. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1461781004.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Diamond, Shawn. "Requiem for the Shadows: Poetry, Spirituality, and Future Memory in the Light Strings of Felix Gonzalez-Torres." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1461781004

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1461781004
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© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.