The Art of Go-Go Dancing
Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Untitled (Go-go Dancing Platform), 1991, Wood, light bulbs, acrylic paint, and go-go dancer in silver lamée bikini (when installed publicly). Kunstmuseum St. Gallen, on permanent loan from private collection. Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation, NY
Whenever Gonzalez-Torres’ installation/participatory art piece is on display, a dancer clad in silver lamé shorts will ascend the lighted platform for just five minutes each day, unscheduled and unannounced, and dance to his or her own choice of music, heard only to the dancer through a pair of headphones. Diane Haithman of the LA Times covered the work in a great post, which explains many of Gonzalez-Torres’ idea behind it. Art and Today also wrote a nice entry on the piece.
Be sure to check out a short video interview with one of the dancers on YouTube.
