Going Nowhere 2020

Editor: Jason Limon's "Going Nowhere," from 2020, appears to be a mixed-media piece. The somber skeleton and the decaying alphabet blocks give it a slightly ominous feel. What stands out to you about this work? Curator: Considering the material context, look at how Limon uses mixed media – presumably acrylic paint alongside other materials to build texture. The very *making* of this piece, the layering and juxtaposition of different media, it emphasizes a construction – or perhaps a deconstruction. He presents us with signs and signifiers--language, alphabets--that promise meaning but, here, fail to deliver. Editor: So, the materials contribute to the overall feeling of decay and stalled meaning? Curator: Exactly. The "going nowhere" of the title isn't just a thematic statement; it's embodied in the laborious construction of the work. Each block seems hand-crafted and then deliberately distressed, which requires significant labor that leads nowhere. Also, the small skeletons seem like artisans and laborers, reinforcing the themes of making and undoing. What kind of cultural messages are delivered by graffiti art? Editor: You mean the "street art" look? Maybe about undermining authority or commenting on capitalism. Curator: Precisely! Limon appropriates the visual language associated with that cultural practice, which offers commentary about dismantling language as systems of meaning-making. Look at the font selections, for example; or the way the skeletal figures engage with the alphabet blocks as a form of industry. Editor: So, he's using the medium and the making of the piece itself to comment on broader social themes, on capitalism? That’s something I didn’t initially consider! Curator: Absolutely. By understanding his choices of process and materials, we realize that the medium *is* very much the message. Editor: I definitely see it now. I had been so focused on the skeleton, I didn't consider how much the method and material adds to the overall impact of the artwork. Curator: Indeed. Recognizing materiality invites us to interpret how artistic intention can be materialized by diverse mediums and material combinations to enhance a work of art's commentary about modern cultures and societies.