Damage Control Exhibition Explores Art and Destruction Since 1950 at MUDAM Luxembourg

The exhibition 'Damage Control: Art and Destruction Since 1950' is currently on display at MUDAM in Luxembourg, showcasing around 90 pieces from more than 40 artists. This collection, which was previously exhibited at the Hirshhorn Museum and Kunsthaus Graz, delves into themes emerging after World War II, particularly the anxieties of the Cold War era regarding nuclear threats. Notable works include atomic explosion photographs by Harold 'Doc' Edgerton, self-destructive creations by Jean Tinguely, and auto-destructive pieces by Gustav Metzger. The show also features Ai Weiwei's 'Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn' (1995) and John Baldessari's 'Cremation Project' (1970), alongside representations of violence like Juan Muñoz's 'Derailment' (2000-1) and Luc Delahaye's 'Jenin Refugee Camp' (2002). This article was published in the October 2014 edition of ArtReview.