82. Grupo Mondongo, Calavera 4 (Skull 4)
Look closely. This massive skull is made from over 1,000 tiny images molded in 3-D plasticine. We can make out a last supper across the forehead with Gandhi, a mummy, Yoda, Chairman Mao, and… is that Hitler at the table? Jesus. (Literally.) Such gleeful, nihilistic heresy—the background is Pac-Man—is a contemporary take on an old artistic trope: skulls mean death. Think of Hamlet marveling at poor Yorick, or all the beautiful still life paintings with food and wine and musical instruments… and skulls. So don’t get distracted, stay calm and clear, because none of this worldly craziness matters!
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This post is part of MFAH 100, a series featuring works from the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, in honor of its 100th birthday. 100 words on 100 works in 100 days.
Have a piece you’d like me to consider? Send a message or leave a comment—I can’t promise I’ll include it but I will give it a serious look.
Their works are AMAZING. The other in the MFAH collection - a huge decaying Buenos Aires - can hold me for - I would say "hours," but that is an exaggeration, of course. So I'll just say that it holds my attention for far longer than most of the art I 👀.