Text: Sebastian Johans
Design: Filip Rensfelt and Finntorp grafisk form
2024, English, softcover
232 pages, 23 x 30 cm
ISBN: 9789198870565
Marcus Mårtenson's artistic practice addresses contemporary issues such as consumption, surveillance and social media. In his work process he transforms references from capitalist popular culture into social criticism. Among Mårtenson’s sources of inspiration are current events, graffiti, icon painting and his upbringing in New York during the 1980s. His paintings embody a grid of thoughts and ideas mainly focusing on the existential crisis of the constantly digitally connected human being.
It is easy to see Mårtenson’s entire body of work as a unified whole that traces our collective journey towards an increasingly frightening, and paradoxically, increasingly entertaining, surveillance society. “Surveillance can be fun!” exclaims a bubbling image that, apart from the text, is filled with confetti and icons from some of the multinational companies that make their money from mapping our existence. It’s a dark and somewhat satirical statement, sure. But at the same time, it contains
some truth. Sebastian Johans