MoM Block Nr. 40 1997

Editor: This is "MoM Block Nr. 40," a mixed-media piece by Michel Majerus, created in 1997. I find the color palette so interesting, almost like a faded memory being painted over. What is your take on it? Curator: Majerus's work is deeply embedded in the late 20th-century media landscape. We see him grappling with how images are produced, consumed, and ultimately circulate within our culture. In that sense, the title suggests that it may be derived from images coming out of The Museum of Modern Art. Editor: I see! The 'faded memory' feel makes more sense now. But the composition feels almost unfinished. Was that a common aesthetic at the time? Curator: The "unfinished" quality you observe aligns with Neo-Expressionism, which questioned the sleek perfection championed earlier. More broadly, Majerus pulls imagery from many places. What statements are being made through appropriation and fragmentation? He also uses it to challenge the commercialization of art. Editor: So, he's using this style and composition to comment on society? The art world itself even? Curator: Precisely. Think about the "MoM Block" title again – the art institution as a block or obstacle? A space of production. Who decides what becomes art? And why? His layering also reminds us of screen printing. Editor: I see the influence now. So it's not just a pretty picture but a challenge to the viewer. Curator: Yes, and it makes us reflect on the role of institutions and the pervasiveness of imagery in our daily lives. A crucial viewpoint, given our even more image-saturated world today, don't you think? Editor: Definitely something to think about as I’m scrolling through my phone after this. Thanks!