Art Theory by: Jon-Micke, MA Royal Danish Academy of Fine Art

"July 18 - September 2: "M" by Toni Mena
(b. 1972, El Salvador, C.A.).
Educated at Universitat de Barcelona Bellas Artes (1997-2002),
lives and works in Spain & El Salvador and exhibits worldwide.
Mena's substantial art production accommodates abstract painting
and humourolls drawings as well as video installations
and conceptual art. Regardless of choice of expression
Mena consistently calls for artistic independence and
emphasizes a personal right to a certain civil disobedience,
to rebelliously protest and make a forceful statement.
Hence this hard driven modus and syllogism Mena never neglects
to secure and confine the artwork with sufficient artistic evidence
to sustain its historical and artistic autonomy.
The exhibition, "M", reveals the initiation, advance and
exercise of Mena's "M-concept": a logo, stigma and a brand tool
to address critical and significant disputes sociocultural matters
and issues (see MS-13 gangs in El Salvador) in an instantly recognizable
uniform face and code with environmentally determined adaptability.
Witness, "M" put into action in the streets, as messages attached to
advertising posters, Mena carrying the "M" mask and
full body suit, while daringly confronting governmental officials and "M"
on canvas in an art context to claim responsibility of a sabotage by
simultaneously transcending art versus - or as - the revolt.
The M-concept connects to a massive variety of art traditions, such as pop
and concept, street and mural art, graffiti, happenings, action and event
based art. It associates with the contemporary visual artists
Levine, Kruger & Holzer - Koons, Kostabi and Warhol."

                                Jon-Micke
                                MA Art Theory
                                Royal Danish Academy
                                of Fine Art
                                Copenhagen 2007.