"MM"
150 x 150 cm, Acrylic on recycled PVC, 2022
In “MM,” the artist juxtaposes elements from the classical and contemporary worlds to create a work that is both subversive and provocative. In the background, a religious scene by a Renaissance master, rich in detail and nuance, presents the Virgin and Child surrounded by pious figures. Against this sacred backdrop, a distorted and colorful image of Mickey Mouse—an iconic figure of pop culture and globalization—emerges, radically breaking with the solemn atmosphere of the original painting.
Mickey, here, is depicted in an exaggerated manner, with distorted features and a fluid posture that seems to melt and drip into the religious scene. This grotesque and irreverent intrusion of a symbol of childhood and consumerism onto a classical canvas unsettles the viewer, prompting reflection on the tensions between the sacred and the profane, between art history and modern mass culture.
The use of acrylic on a reclaimed PVC support reinforces the idea of modernity and reinvention, alluding to the fragility of cultural memory in the face of the omnipresent influence of contemporary media. By playing on visual and conceptual contrasts, “MM” becomes a biting and humorous critique of today’s society, questioning our ability to balance respect for the past with enthusiasm for the present.
“MM” is an invitation to rethink our relationship with art and culture, an exploration of the contradictions inherent in our times, where artistic traditions and popular emblems coexist in a space saturated with images and meanings.
