This week I am in New York City showing my students the sights, sounds
and for better or for worse the smells. We visited the MOMA on Monday
and found ourselves looking at one of Felix Gonzalez-Torres' stacks of
printed paper on the floor. From previous experience I knew that it
was part of the work to take one of these sheets even though I was
surrounded by the untouchables. Everyone around me was bent over
looking at the work but as tradition dictates, none were touching. As
I bent over to grab one of these sheets a feeling of complete
apprehension and excitement was present. As I held it in my hand there
was this almost euphoric feeling. As quickly as that feeling came, it
passed. I almost immediately felt let down and now wondered if I
should put the sheet of paper back so I would not have to carry it
with me. This was a major work of art, that was mine to keep, but I
wanted nothing to do with it. I folded it as much as I could and
pushed it into my pocket. I wondered how these feelings and actions
relate to the art world but also to this system of consumption we live
in. Is art just one more thing to consume? It was an almost sexual
experience; the build up, the climax, and then the going back to the
everyday once it's over.