DEC. 13, 2013 – May. 4, 2014

Whims and Absurdities

Whims and Absurdities features a selection of pieces from the MOLAA Permanent Collection made by artists who use humorous and fanciful imagery to investigate personal, regional and universal concerns. As far back as the Middle Ages, artists have created images and objects, ranging from the delightful to the bizarre, which challenged the way that viewers perceive reality. Latin American artists have added to this genre by inserting popular art elements and themes unique to their own mestizo origins.

The exhibition’s four sections investigate diverse aspects of the imaginary and fantastic in Latin America. Ancestral Connections juxtaposes the work of masters and younger artists to explore pre-Hispanic themes and symbols. The artists in Humor and Identity produce critical, comedic and sometimes grotesque works in wrestling with both identity issues and historical problems. Transcendent Landscapes features both abstract and surreal environments created by artists who look to the dynamic aspect of nature and the universe for inspiration. Myths and Mysticism explores the human fascination with rituals, spirituality and the divine.

Whims and Absurdities was curated by Gabriela Martínez with Idurre Alonso