Artwork of the month March

Mario García-Torres, A List of Names of Artists I Like (Or Cubism Seen Under a Specific Light), n.d.

Mario García-Torres

* 1975 in Monclova, Mexico


A List of Names of Artists I Like (Or Cubism Seen Under a Specific Light), n.d.


Blueprints, photocopies, wall text
Blueprints, 27 parts, each: 17.4 x 12.3 cm; photocopies, 11 parts, each: 12.3 x 17.4 cm; displayed in 11 frames, each: 46 × 58 cm

In his work, the Mexican artist Mario García-Torres refers to narratives of art. He investigates heroes and artist myths in the context of their particular time, translating the material he generates into the context of new stories. For example, the artist questions the fragility of determined historiography and plays with revealing and concealing facts and fiction. In addition to painting, photography, film and video he above all makes use of performance. Talking about his work A List of Names of Artists I Like (Or Cubism Seen Under a Specific Light), García-Torres writes:

"Responding to Walt Kuhn and Walter Pach's request, in September 1912 Pablo Picasso took a scrap of paper and wrote down some names. They were contemporaries whom the artist recommended to participate in the following year's Armory Show (International Modern Art Exhibition) in New York.

A List of Names of Artists I Like (Or Cubism Seen Under a Specific Light) is a speculative blueprint that attempts to envision an exhibition comprised of works made around 1913 by artists on the list, whether they were included in what came to be known as the Armory Show (International Exhibition of Modern Art) in 1913 – or not. The selected works from Picasso's roster (all of whom were Groupe de Puteaux members) represent a high point in the development of the Cubist movement. At the same time, they reflect the political nature of personal choices.

The list's composition – probably dashed off without too much thought, with names spelled phonetically – became a legendary gesture since the Armory Show turned out to be a milestone in the development of modern art. Now more than a century later – as we intensively and repeatedly question institutionalized opinions, as we once again rely on individuals and networks to make decisions – Picasso's "laundry list" has more potential than ever to illustrate the implications of casual, blasé decisions."

Denise Rigaud

<b>Mario García-Torres, A List of Names of Artists I Like (Or Cubism Seen Under a Specific Light), n.d.</b>
Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein highlights a work from the permanent collection each month throughout the year. Works from the collection of the Hilti Art Foundation are also included in this series on a regular basis.