Felix Gonzalez-Torres: “Untitled” (L.A.) Opens at the Figge Art Museum

CommunityPress Release

Felix Gonzalez-Torres: “Untitled” (L.A.) Opens at the Figge Art Museum
 
Davenport, Iowa (January 27, 2026) – Felix Gonzalez-Torres: “Untitled” (L.A.) is now on view at the Figge Art Museum, which brings a work by a deeply influential contemporary artist into conversation with the Quad Cities community. Through a participatory installation comprised of a large pile of candies, the exhibition explores LGBTQ identity, love and loss, civil rights, and the lasting effects of the AIDS epidemic—inviting visitors to experience these themes on both personal and collective levels.
 
Gonzalez-Torres is internationally recognized for installations that use everyday materials, including candies, lightbulbs, and paper, to invite participation and reflection. Beneath their enticing aesthetic qualities, his works engage viewers in questions of memory, intimacy, and shared responsibility. “This exhibition gives the Figge an important opportunity to share the work of this well-known artist with our community,” said Joshua Johnson, Co-Senior Curator at the Figge Art Museum. “Gonzalez-Torres’s art celebrates LGBTQ identity while also acknowledging ongoing struggles for civil rights and the devastating, lasting impact of the AIDS epidemic. At the same time, this is only one reading of his work: his art remains remarkably open to interpretation—an openness Gonzalez-Torres consistently emphasized in how he hoped viewers would engage with it.”
 
The exhibition is accompanied by dynamic public programming that extends the experience beyond the gallery. Planned events include film screenings during Pride Month, a dance intervention inspired by the work, and a community reaction art activity. These programs are presented in partnership with local organizations, including Clock Inc, and The Project of the Quad Cities. 
 
Local supporting sponsors include Susan Perry and Stan Goodyear, with additional support from Art Bridges Foundation. Felix Gonzalez-Torres: “Untitled” (L.A.) is on view through June 21, 2026.
 
Companion Programming:
Thursday, April 9, 6:00 p.m. – Go-Go Dance Party
Free admission, Figge Bar opens at 5:00 p.m. (now serving food)
Thursdays at the Figge sponsored by Chris and Mary Rayburn
 
Thursday, April 30, 6:00 p.m. – Art History Talk, Featuring the Work of Felix Gonzalez-Torres
Free admission, Figge Bar opens at 5:00 p.m. (now serving food)
Thursdays at the Figge sponsored by Chris and Mary Rayburn
 
About the Figge Art Museum:
The Figge Art Museum is dedicated to bringing art and people together. Located on the Mississippi River in downtown Davenport, the Figge is the premier art exhibition and education facility between Chicago and Des Moines. Its landmark glass building houses a renowned collection, engaging exhibitions, and community-centered programs. Admission is free on Thursday nights.
 

Felix Gonzalez-Torres: “Untitled” (L.A.) Opens at the Figge Art Museum