#John Boskovich

[fleetwood-rendezvous]

[laithesque]

Electric Fan (Feel it Motherfuckers); Only Unclaimed Item from the Stephen Earabino Estate, 1997.

[schlock-luster-video]

On May 4, 1990, Without You I'm Nothing debuted in New York City.

[stelliferous2]

In his “Rude Awakening Series”, John Boskovich explores queer shame, desire, and the historical role of psychology in condemning queerness during the AIDS crisis through conceptual photography. Comprised of a framed set of Polaroids, each image depicts a mundane memory, domestic scene, or occasionally homoerotic vignette against a positive affirmation. The text itself is silk-screened and was derived from a psychology self-help book gifted to Boskovich shortly after his partner’s hospitalisation.

Each memory is curiously devoid of real human faces, with most containing no people at all. This prompts the viewer to consider who is missing, and the reasons for their absence. The person has left behind half-eaten popcorn, open books, lit stoves. Alternatively, they are invisible — pushed into the margins of heteronormative culture, ignored so harshly that they simply stop existing altogether. Why did Boskovich receive the self-help book, rather than his partner? Why must he better himself, when his partner obviously needs more help than he does?

Ultimately, Boskovich critiques the cogency of pop psychology when faced against genuine queer crises. How can queer people adapt to the increasing societal focus on psychology, knowing fully well how it has been used to harm them? How is psychology used to brush over and minimise the pain that Boskovich is feeling in this moment— a pain already so minimised solely because of his homosexuality?

He sardonically touches on his partner’s inevitable death with levity, with statements such as “Money comes easily to me” contrasted against a naked man, exploring the way queer crisis fits into the prevailing, heterosexual context from which it is borne.

The historical use of psychology to criminalise and condemn queer identity is not lost on Boskovich, who considers whether queerness can ever fit into a world of medicalisation, psychoanalysis, and diagnoses.

[unicornbeck]

Signal Boost, Signal Boost, Signal Boost.

[zzhxzhczxx]

might fuck around and become a John Boskovich fan blog his art is so hard

[gallerydeath]

john boskovich, after brancusi (buttplug and mallet), 1993

[annacase]

[jackofallartforms]

i want a whole book of this

“Unfinished Painting” — Keith Haring

This painting was left intentionally incomplete. Haring began it when he was dying due to complications from AIDS, and knew he didn’t have much time left. The piece represents the incomplete lives of him and many others, lost to AIDS during the crisis.

“AIDS Memorial Quilt” — Multiple

This quilt is over 50 tons heavy, and one of, if not the, largest pieces of community folk art. Many people who died of AIDS did not receive funerals, due to social stigma and many funeral homes refusing to handle the deceased’s remains, so this was one of the only ways their lives could be celebrated. Each panel was created in recognition of someone who died due to AIDS, typically by that person’s loved ones.

“Untitled” (Portrait of Ross in L.A.) — Felix Gonzalez-Torres

This pile of candy weighs the same amount as an average adult man. Visitors are encouraged to take some of the candy. As they do so, the pile of candy weighs less and less. This is a commentary on how AIDS deteriorates the body of those who have it. Gonzalez-Torres’ partner, Ross Laycock, had died due to AIDS-related complications the same year.

The SF Gay Men's Chorus

This photo was taken in 1993. The men in white are the surviving original members. Every man in black is standing in for an original member who lost their lives to AIDS.

“Electric Fan (Feel it Motherfuckers); Only Unclaimed Item from the Stephen Earabino Estate, 1997” — John Boskovich

After the death of his lover, Stephen Earabino, from AIDS, Boskovich discovered that his family had completely cleared his room, including Boskovich’s own possessions, save for this fan. An entire person, existence and relationship had been erased, just like so many lives during the AIDS crisis. Boskovich encased the fan in Plexiglass, but added cutouts so that its air may be felt by the viewer, almost like an exhalation. In a sense, restoring Earabino’s breath.

“Blue” — Derek Jarman

This was Jarman’s final feature film, released four months before his death from AIDS-related complications. These complications had left him visually impaired, able to only see in shades of blue. This film consists of a single shot of a saturated blue color, as the soundtrack to the film described Jarman’s life through narration, intercut with the adventures of Blue, a humanization of the color blue. The film's final moments consist of a set of repeated names: “John. Daniel. Howard. Graham. Terry. Paul". These are the names of former lovers and friends of Jarman who had died due to AIDS.

“Untitled” (Perfect Lovers) — Felix Gonzalez-Torres

Created by the same man who created the previous untitled piece, this piece was also inspired by his lover’s deterioration and death due to AIDS. This piece consists of two perfectly alike clocks. Over the course of time, one of the clocks will fall out of sync with the other.

In a letter written to his lover about the piece, before his lover’s passing, Gonzalez-Tourres wrote, “Don't be afraid of the clocks, they are our time, the time has been so generous to us. We imprinted time with the sweet taste of victory. We conquered fate by meeting at a certain time in a certain space. We are a product of the time, therefore we give back credit were it is due: time. We are synchronized, now forever. I love you.”

Please feel free to reblog with more additions

[art-that-fucks-you-up-tournament]

SET SIX - ROUND ONE - MATCH THREE

"Electric Fan (Feel it Motherfuckers): Only Unclaimed Item from the Stephen Earabino Estate" (1997 - John Boskovich) / "Untitled" (Portrait of Ross in L.A.)" (1991 - Félix González-Torres)

ELECTRIC FAN (FEEL IT MOTHERFUCKERS): it makes me literally insane that’s all that’s left of him and he made sure it would stay remembered, something something the last trace of a breath immortalized the only way it could be. Feel it, motherfuckers. (courfeyracs-swordcane) (also submitted by callixton and weeweewhirlwind)

UNTITLED (PORTRAIT OF ROSS IN L.A.): It fucks me up SO MUCH. The artist's partner was named Ross, and died of AIDS in the same year this was created. The ideal weight is roughly the average of an adult man. The allegory there... people taking the candy, decreasing the weight, the same way people took away from Ross and every other victim of the AIDS crisis by refusing to help, to do anything at all. Except this has an "endless supply" of candy. People can take and take and it keeps coming back. They can't get rid of us forever. We will prevail and we will rebuild and I WILL be fucked up about this forever (ceaseless-rambler)

("Electric Fan (Feel It Motherfuckers): Only Unclaimed Item from the Stephen Earabino Estate" is an electric fan encased in plexiglass with vinyl faux etching and a plexiglass base with casters by gay American artist John Boskovich--Stephen Earanbino's partner. It was the last item left in Stephen Earabino's estate after his death by AIDS and measures 56 7/8 x 22 3/4 x 12 1/2 in. (144.5 x 57.8 x 31.8 cm). It is held by The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.

"Untitled (Portrait of Ross in LA)" is a modern art installation consisting of wrapped candies (constantly removed and replaced) by gay Cuban-American artist Félix González-Torres after the death of his partner, Ross, by AIDS. The weight is equivalent to a healthy human male - approximately 175 lbs (79kg). It is located at the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago.)

[letallthetrashraindown]

there’s so much love in the world. so much love you could drown in it.

Fred W. McDarrah, outside the Stonewall Inn in June 1969 / queering the map / Marie Ueda, “1977 San Francisco Gay Day Parade” / Wilfred Owen to Siegfried Sassoon / the Lovers of Modena / James Schuyler to John Button / John Boskovich, "Electric Fan (Feel it Motherfuckers): Only Unclaimed Item from the Stephen Earabino Estate" / Vita Sackville-West to Virginia Woolf / Joan E. Biren / Saphho, Fragment 147 / @orpheuslament, “The Second Coming, or Jesus at the Gay Bar”

[the-goya-jerker]

portrait of ross in la?

Oh, I do not feel comfortable rating this one or searching for any eroticism in it.

This is a piece of art inspired by the death of Ross Laycock, the lover of artist Felix Gonzalez Torres, during the AIDS crisis.

Ideally this piece is 175lbs of candy (corresponding to an average body weight of an adult man). Throughout the day, pieces are taken and taken. Like Ross, it wastes away, and viewers are left with the anticipation of loss.

This piece genuinely makes me feel like my heart has been ripped from my chest. I want to wail with grief when I think about it too long.

Instead of a review, I humbly offer up, for your elucidation and viewing pleasure, relevant works.

Check out the others works of Felix Gonzalez Torres, they're very moving.

Electric Fan (Feel It Motherfuckers): Only Unclaimed Item from the Stephen Earabino Estate by John S. Boskovich, a thematically similar piece of art. It also brings me to tears when I see it.

Let the Record Show by Sarah Schulman, which is based on...

The ACT UP Oral History Project, a project that seeks to preserve the history of the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power and their activism through the AIDS Crisis.

United in Anger a film by Jim Hubbard, a documentary on ACT UP

If plays or films are more your style, I recommend Angels in America by Tony Kushner. My favorite version is the 2003 TV series from HBO. It stars Justin Kirk, and it is genuinely uplifting and gut wrenching all at once.

If anyone else has pieces of art they suggest, please, feel free to reblog with them! I think art is one of the best ways sometimes to engage with historical atrocities like this. Whether that art is fictionalized or factual, it connects us like nothing else.

Let yourself learn about this and let yourself feel things about this.

[aletterinthenameofsanity]

Art References for Chapter 4 of underneath of your sunrise (show me where your love lies)

(Is this the longest one yet? Maybe. Listen, this was the finale, I went all out.)

Paloma à la Guitare, Françoise Gilot, 1965

"But Monty also thinks about Francoise Gilot, an accomplished painter in her own right. She and Picasso spent ten years together, him cold and distant and cruel, but in the end, she was the one who left him. There was this one friend of the family, Antony Penrose, who said that it was “proof that she never gave up her own spirit.”

And despite two years of letting Tommy color his relationship with Charles and Edwin, Monty’s not going to do that anymore."

Apocalypse Tapestry, Jean Bondol and Nicholas Bataille, 1377-1382

"Monty’s fingers drum against the steering wheel. Just because he logically knows that things are alright- that they are more than alright- he can’t help the slight sting of unease, of doubt, of insecurity that is sewn through him like revelations through the Apocalypse Tapestry."

Arches of the Great Mosque of Córdoba, 785-787

"Because to be touched like this, to be bare beneath their attention, their touch, is like the first time he stood inside of a mosque, looking up at the arches, understanding how geometry could truly be divine."

Persian Ceiling, Dave Chihuly, 2008

"Though, of course, nothing takes Monty’s breath away like the two men highlighted by the glimmers of blue and green and yellow and orange reflecting and refracting off the sculptures above their heads, like walking beneath the kaleidoscope swimming above their heads in an aquarium."

Woman In A Yellow Dress, Max Kurzweil, 1899

"Monty is pushed back against the bed, laid out like a yellow dress draped over a Kurzweil lady, and he goes without protest. He goes with fucking reverence."

Electric Fan (Feel It, Motherfuckers), John S. Boskovich, 1997

"Such an idea would have been staggering a couple of weeks ago. It would have been impossible to believe, like someone trying to argue that modern art is garbage, seriously, have you ever seen Boskovich's Electric Fan (Feel It Motherfuckers) and not felt the absolute agony of the ghosts of your community screaming out at you louder than any painting ever has?"

Madonna painting on caterpillar silk, Chester Cathedral

"He feels as fragile as a gossamer painting, art painted on delicate cobwebs, as he catches his breath."

Radha and Krishna Walk in a Flowering Grove, the Kota Master, c. 1720

"The woman looks rather familiar. In fact, Monty’s pretty sure he’s seen her photo in their apartment, all long dark hair, a striking profile, and warm, familiar brown eyes, as beautiful as Krishna walking in the garden with Radha- if Krishna’s golden earrings gleamed against a pea coat."

At the Moulin Rouge- The Dance, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, 1890

"This is what Kala and Edwin walk in on: Charles dipping Monty in the middle of the kitchen, helpless laughter spilling from Monty's lips, like two dancers in a Lautrec painting of the Moulin Rouge."

@deadboy-edwin @icecreambrownies @anonymousbooknerd-universe @ashildrs

@tragedy-machine @just-existing-as-you-do-blog @orpheusetude @mj-irvine-selby

@pappelsiin @itsbitmxdinhere @rexrevri @sweet-like-h0ney-lavender @saffirez

@the-ipre @sunnylemonss @days-light @agentearthling @helltechnicality

@sethlost @catboy-cabin @secretlyafiveheadeddragon @vyther15

@anything-thats-rock-and-roll @queen-of-hobgobblers @every-moment-a-different-sound

@nix-nihili @mellxncollie @tumblerislovetumblerislife @lemurafraidofthunder

@likemmmcookies @wr0temyway0ut @thelakeswillbreakourfall

[plesiosaurchestra]

i used to be one of those people who kind of hated “modern art” like comedian by maurizio cattelan and the new series by jeff koons.

because they weren’t even actual sculptures, for the new they were just vacuums sealed in boxes and i think even without saying what comedian is most people can guess what comedian is. its reputation for being the supposed reason that contemporary artists can’t be taken seriously far precedes it. both of those pieces took no effort to make. anybody could buy something from a store, title it and try selling it to a gallery.

it’s nothing special.

but one day online, i stumbled on a pair of pieces titled electric fan (feel it motherfuckers) by john s. boskovich and “untitled” (portrait of ross in l.a.) by félix gonzález-torres. both of them being products of the aids pandemic of the 1980s.

the former was -as the name implied- an electric fan that belonged to boskovich and his deceased partner: stephen earabino. after earabino’s death, his family almost completely emptied out the flat that the two of them shared, the fan was the only thing left behind. the plexiglas that the fan is encased in is engraved with this truth. and the fan still runs, still whirring about an air of memories taken away.

the latter was a pile of candy, 175 pounds (79 kilograms) of candy. the visitors can either choose to take from the pile causing the candy to shrink away, or not take away from it but still watch it vanish anyways. as the title implies, the candy represents the late ross laycock, who was gonzález-torres’s partner. the diminishing candy is meant to represent him succumbing to illness.

and with portrait of ross in l.a. i remembered seeing someone comment angrily about it, saying that anyone could just pour candy on the floor. but seeing that response that i would’ve agreed with in the past made me…upset this time? the only thing making it different to me was the context that i had behind its existence.

and i’ve had an epiphany about this recently. to both people inside and outside the art community (for lack of better words) we equate good art with beauty and struggle. if someone can look at a piece and imagine themself making it without having to suffer in some way to get there, they see it as lesser art. whether we think about it or not, we equate good art with suffering. but why should we? shouldn’t art be about the message? just because something isn’t a technical masterpiece in the sense of da vinci and van gogh, doesn’t make the message is inherently weaker.

i hope to one day live in a world where if we look at an art piece we see as easy to do, we don’t angrily think “i could’ve done that.” but instead think “i could do that too!” with a sense of inspiration.

[yvepaints]

Favorite piece of contemporary art? Or what art piece do you have hanging in your place? (I’ll show you mine if you show me yours) 😵‍💫

My favorite pieces of contemporary art are “Feel It M*****f*****s” by John Boskovich, “Untitled (Portrait of Ross in L. A.)” by Felix Gonzales-Torres, and “Unfinish Painting” by Keith Haring!

In my space I have prints of “Madonnina” by Roberto Ferruzzi, “Houses in Auvers” by Vincent Van Gogh, and another piece that I’ve yet to identify. ❤️