MARK DEMURO
Newspapers are an amusing thing to work with because they exist inherently as time capsules -- as mirrors, windows, doors, or portals of time. They simultaneously engage the present and the past, which appeals to me as an artist.
The paradox of the news is that the events it describes have already happened, yet they are offered as occurring in the present. In a culture of the 24-hour news cycle, this gap is shortened, but still remains. Working with newspapers as a substrata reminds me to be present -- that it's crucial to be conscious of the moment before it slips into the past.
After the 2016 elections I responded to the news in a different way. With the introduction of "alternative facts," I became concerned with how information is distorted and how disinformation has infected communication and social discourse. Figuration gave way to symbols, and speech bubbles became frequent protagonists in my imagery. As Guston shunned abstraction in favor of figuration as a response to the experience of Nixon, these new images feel like a more appropriate reaction to the Orange malignancy in the White House. It's a challenging time but art helps me remain focused and positive. In spite of the obstacles, I try to be optimistic. Take care, be kind to yourself and others. And please, vote.
Mark DeMuro lives and works in New York City and Wanaksink Lake, NY.