Can collections alone define an exhibition’s identity and meaning?
The article critiques a recent exhibition at the Moco Museum in Barcelona that juxtaposes works by Salvador Dalí, Jeff Koons, CJ Hendry, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Banksy, questioning whether a museum's collection alone can define an exhibition's identity and meaning. The author argues that the organizers' approach, which mixes disparate artistic movements and genres without critical coherence, reflects a narrow Catalan notion of contemporaneity and a condescending attitude toward viewers. Specific works discussed include CJ Hendry's enlarged doll 'Jojo' and Banksy's 'Happy Choppers (Crude Oil)', with the author noting that Banksy's street art loses its impact when displayed in a gallery setting.