Robert Gober: The Heart Is Not a Metaphor

"Whenever I give a talk about my work I am invariably asked about who my influences are. Not what my influences are, but who. As if the gutter, misunderstandings, memories, sex, dreams, and books matter less than forebears do. After all, in terms of influences, it is as much the guy who mugged me on 10th Street, or my beloved dog who passed away much too early, as it is Giotto or Diane Arbus." Featured image, of the installation "Untitled" installed at the Dia Center for the Arts, New York, in 1992, as well as this quotation of Gober by essayist Hilton Als, are reproduced from Robert Gober: The Heart is Not a Metaphor, published to accompany the major retrospective opening this weekend at The Museum of Modern Art, New York.