Untitled 

Editor: Here we have an "Untitled" tempera painting by Arturo Rivera, featuring a skull and a large insect. Its Neo-Expressionist style evokes a sense of unease... What do you see in this piece? Curator: It strikes me as a contemporary *memento mori*, forcing us to confront mortality in a visually arresting way. The skull itself, a potent symbol of death, is juxtaposed with the insect, which could symbolize decay or even transformation. But isn’t there also an element of resistance here, a reclaiming of the grotesque as a site of power, a critique of societal norms around beauty and aging? What are your thoughts? Editor: I see that now! It definitely challenges our conventional understanding of beauty and decay. Are there specific historical influences we should be aware of when looking at this painting? Curator: Absolutely. Rivera's work is deeply embedded in Mexican art traditions, referencing both pre-Columbian and Baroque aesthetics. In Latin American culture, death isn't necessarily an ending but rather a transition, often depicted with irony and humor. How do these aspects inform your interpretation? Editor: Thinking about those traditions, the skull here feels less like a symbol of absolute horror, and more like an acknowledgement of life's cyclical nature. Also I think this image makes you confront a reality, decay is part of being and we must recognize it. Curator: Precisely. It pushes us to contemplate not only death but also the power structures that shape our perceptions of it. Consider the work of contemporary artists using similar imagery to address issues of ecological devastation and societal collapse... Rivera anticipated these conversations. Editor: This has totally transformed how I initially understood the piece, from just feeling unsettled, to acknowledging something that we should feel unsettled about, and the history of how those feelings have been culturally depicted. Curator: And hopefully it inspires us to continue asking critical questions about the world around us. The layers of cultural significance intertwined within Rivera's canvas invite us to dissect preconceived notions and engage with our place in this vast, ever-evolving history.