Brittle 2022

Curator: At first glance, Jason Limon's "Brittle," created in 2022, strikes me as whimsical and ornate, despite its rather morbid imagery. There's something decorative, almost celebratory, in the way the skull-like moth form is presented against the deep turquoise backdrop dotted with confetti. What do you think? Editor: There's definitely a playful juxtaposition here. The skull, typically a symbol of mortality, is rendered in a way that softens its impact. I think the pop-surrealist style tempers what would otherwise be a very dark, confrontational image. Curator: Absolutely. The decorative arts elements, with that intricate, filigree-like pattern on the wings, soften the memento mori aspect of it. It's interesting how Limon blends this traditional symbolism with a modern aesthetic, playing with the collective memory of vanitas themes in a very contemporary way. Editor: I am intrigued by how the artist uses mixed media and acrylic to suggest this image. It reminds us of similar uses of earthenware in ancient practices surrounding death. Do you get the sense that Limon's folk-art approach intends to comment on such a visual heritage, how different generations remember the past? Curator: Perhaps. The skull-moth becomes a potent symbol of transformation and the fragile beauty of existence. Even the small red asterisks where its eyes should be remind us of fragility; they appear both festive and fragile. The title "Brittle" emphasizes this ephemeral quality of folk art, something at once culturally durable but vulnerable to time. Editor: Well, the presentation, this decorative take on something so primal as the image of death, raises the question of art’s purpose within different social contexts. Limon certainly uses familiar iconography but distorts it to generate some rather thought-provoking ideas. Curator: Indeed. The piece almost subverts expectations of seriousness associated with death imagery. By blending the macabre with the decorative, Limon prompts us to confront our mortality with a sense of curiosity rather than dread. Editor: Agreed. "Brittle," far from being morbid, seems to offer an invitation to engage with complex themes playfully. Curator: It has certainly given me some new avenues to consider within the ongoing conversation between contemporary art and enduring symbols. Editor: For me too. It is rare for a contemporary work to generate fresh takes on what we consider timeless ideas.