International Pop Exhibition Reinterprets Movement Through Disconnection and Intimacy

Curators Darsie Alexander and Bartholomew Ryan present a fresh interpretation of Pop art in their exhibition International Pop. Their approach emphasizes disconnection rather than seamless flow, highlighting how artistic migrations and networks faced frequent translation, blockage, or interruption. While U.S. mass media served as source material for numerous artists, it was often repurposed toward distinct objectives. Contrary to narratives focusing on distance and irony, this exhibition reveals a Pop moment characterized by intimacy, politics, and desire. The article, written by Alex Kitnick, was published on October 5, 2017. Content is accessible through MIT Press under a subscription model.