Bruce Nauman: Clown Torture

Clown Torture chronicles the absurd misadventures of four clowns, each played by actor Walter Stevens. Artist Bruce Nauman described the protagonists as ranging from an “old French Baroque clown” to a “traditional … red-haired, oversized shoe clown.” The result is utter cacophony, an aural and visual assault. With both clown and viewer locked in an endless loop of failure and degradation, the humor soon turns to horror.