Sam McKinniss's new exhibition "Law and Order" at Jeffrey Deitch in New York presents paintings of viral and iconic figures, including Jeremy Meeks, Luigi Mangione, Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl, and riderless horses running through urban streets. The show explores how social media blurs the lines between advertising, entertainment, and politics, capturing the experience of scrolling through online content. The article, part of ARTnews's Link Rot column by Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, examines McKinniss's attempt to illustrate the feeling of living in contemporary America through curated images of law enforcers and law breakers.
The article matters because it critically engages with how visual art can reflect the internet age, where recognition and emotional response are shaped by viral imagery and social media. McKinniss's work raises questions about America's relationship with iconic images, visibility, and the myth that representation drives social change. By replicating the "dull sparks of recognition" from scrolling, the show challenges traditional notions of painting and commentary on American culture, making it relevant to discussions about art, technology, and society.