Félix González-Torres gave us Pier Paolo Pasolini’s book Roman Poems, which is as relevant today as it was at the time it was written. Pasolini’s work challenges socially constructed norms of identity, class, race, and intellectualism. He rejected narrow interpretations of the status quo for his earnest love of reality. He believed in the ‘anarchy of power’ and that politicians should turn to artists for guidance. Ligon's neon work is the first of a series of works inspired by Pasolini’s project that was unrealized, Notes for a Poem on the Third World. Much like Pasolini, Ligon is interested in what lies in the margins of Western culture, creating gestural work which ambiguously expresses protest and plea. These passages speak to the spirit of many of the artists within the collection whose work transcends categorization. We focus on art which questions issues that are relevant today and establish relationships which give preference to the voice of the artists.
—Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz, 2019
Grown up?- Never-never-!
Like existence itself
which never matures
staying always green
from splendid day to splendid day -
I can only stay true
to the stupendous monotony
of the mystery.
That’s why I’ve never abandoned myself
to happiness,
that’s why
in the anxiety of my sins
I’ve never been touched
by real remorse.
Equal, always equal,
to the inexpressible
at the very source
of what I am.
—Pier Paolo Pasolini, Diary, 1957
Artists in the exhibition: Tauba Auerbach, Hernan Bas, Walead Beshty, Mark Bradford, Joe Bradley, Dan Colen, Martin Creed, Aaron Curry, Salvador Dalí, Peter Doig, Tomm El-Saieh, Isa Genzken, Félix González-Torres, Mark Grotjahn, Jennifer Guidi, Wade Guyton, Guyton/Walker, Rachel Harrison, Arturo Herrera, Jim Hodges, Thomas Houseago, Alex Israel, Israel/Smith, Rashid Johnson, Alex Katz, Martin Kippenberger, Wifredo Lam, Glenn Ligon, Michael Linares, Nate Lowman, Adam McEwen, Ana Mendieta, Albert Oehlen, Paulina Olowska, Gabriel Orozco, Laura Owens, Jorge Pardo, Seth Price, Rob Pruitt, Sterling Ruby, Dana Schutz, Josh Smith, Reena Spaulings, Rudolf Stingel, Rufino Tamayo, Cosima von Bonin, Kelley Walker, Christopher Wool.
The de la Cruz Collection is privately owned and funded by Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz. It is not a foundation, is not registered as a 501(c)(3) under the US Internal Revenue Code and does not receive governmental assistance.
