Two clocks, one heartbeat: the art of synchronized loss
In short: Félix González-Torres created a masterpiece using nothing but two identical wall clocks. By hanging them side-by-side, he transformed mundane objects into a profound meditation on queer desire, the trauma of the AIDS epidemic, and the agonizing, beautiful friction of two lives trying to stay in sync.
Untitled (Perfect Lovers) (1987-1990) consists of two identical commercial wall clocks hung so they are touching. While they begin synchronized, they naturally drift apart over time. Such physical differences act as a graphic illustration of life's fleeting quality and the transition from living moments into the eternal stillness of death.
The work is deeply rooted in the artist's personal history. Ross Laycock, the companion of González-Torres, received an AIDS diagnosis during 1987. Writing to Laycock in 1988, González-Torres provided a drawing of the work, reflecting on their ability to defeat destiny by joining at a specific TIME. He defined the timepieces as 'our time,' a bountiful present that requires returning in the form of credit.
Critics interpret the work through various lenses: as a 'memento mori' regarding the brevity of life, a protest against the censorship of 'gay art,' or a depiction of two figures 'always in proximity but unable to unite.' Because the clocks must be repaired and reset to the same time whenever they stop, the piece is designed to theoretically last forever, offering a sense of hope against the reality of impermanence.
The artwork has achieved massive cultural reach, appearing in over 75 exhibitions by 2019. Its influence is seen in homages ranging from a 2002 version synchronized to the U.S. Atomic Clock to a 2024 unionization campaign where museum workers wore buttons inspired by the piece. It remains a primary example of how mundane materials can explore profound 'queer personal desire.'
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: "Untitled" (Perfect Lovers)
- Also: Art Institute of Chicago — Untitled · CC0 (data); description CC BY 4.0
- Also: Art Institute of Chicago — Untitled · CC0 (data); description CC BY 4.0
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