On the eve of the exhibition, in a lecture building on his bookproject Demagogie und Propaganda in der Kunst (lit. Demagogy and Propaganda in Art), released in 2013, Antonio Ortega explores the relationship between economic conditions and their effects on the art production primarily of young artists in Spain. The current crisis of institutions in Spain (and Europe) necessitates a reformulation of art production. The spectacle demanded and promoted by public exhibition spaces is no longer practicable due to the economic situation. The availability of new media gives young artists more control over the distribution of their products. In his lecture, Ortega dissects the aesthetic resulting from this development. Borrowing from artists such as Franz West, Erwin Wurm and Fischli/Weiss, a new artistic approach has taken over, at least in Barcelona. Which goes to show to what extent the correlation between artistic production and market preferences depends on economic structures.

Taking his lecture as a basis, Ortega conceives his art to illustrate and define his theses. Paintings, texts and photographs are shown together at our gallery premises and represent a selection from the artist's very diverse and playful oeuvre. By incorporating elements taken from art history, as well as everyday observations, Ortega creates a complex reflection on the social and historic conditions of art production.