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Billboard works

Felix Gonzalez-Torres's billboard works are a significant and influential part of his artistic legacy, known for their conceptual depth and emotional resonance. One of his most celebrated billboard pieces is an image of an empty bed with indents on the pillows, suggesting the recent presence of two individuals. This work, exhibited across various locations in New York City, encapsulates themes of loss, absence, and love, particularly in the context of the AIDS crisis during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Gonzalez-Torres's intention with these billboards was not only to memorialize his partner Ross Laycock but also to engage with broader social and political issues, making a profound statement on public visibility and the private grief of the AIDS epidemic.


Another notable billboard by Gonzalez-Torres commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion. Installed above the Village Cigar Store at Sheridan Square, it featured lines of white text against a black background, listing significant dates and figures in gay history, such as the Stonewall Rebellion itself, Oscar Wilde, Harvey Milk, and the formation of the People With AIDS Coalition. This work was a poignant reminder of the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility, serving as a "visual reference, an architectural sign of being, a monument for a community that has been 'historically invisible.'"


Gonzalez-Torres's billboards are celebrated for their ability to interrupt the everyday with moments of reflection and connection, integrating art seamlessly into the urban landscape. His works are designed to provoke thought and evoke personal reactions from the public, fulfilling his belief that art needs the public to complete it. These billboard works encapsulate Gonzalez-Torres's approach to art as an interactive, participatory experience that transcends the boundaries of traditional gallery spaces, making profound statements about life, love, and loss that resonate with viewers on a deeply personal level.


In 2010, Artpace in San Antonio, Texas, celebrated its 15th anniversary with an ambitious state-wide exhibition of Gonzalez-Torres's billboards, showcasing 336 of these seminal works across four cities. This project highlighted the transcendent quality of his art, earning international attention for its unique commemoration of Gonzalez-Torres's contribution to contemporary art.

(Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation)​​ (Khan Academy)​​ (Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation)​.