Mystery Graffiti: Can you decipher it?

Museum of New

One morning, about twelve years ago, this graffiti appeared on the front of the Museum of New. It was done at night, and no one knew who made it or why.

Why do it in secret? Art debate is preferable. At the time it felt like vandalism, so it was removed. Please email the Museum of New what it might have meant.

The clue for the removal was in the signature: “PSEUDONYM,” the artist’s tag. It could be read as “Pseudo N.Y. Museum”. Was the secret, late-night approach part of the message, like a planned performance? And since it came from someone local, was it an attempt to start a conversation, even without showing who they were? Was it a warning, or an insult? This wasn’t random; it was done by a smart artist with clear writing and planning. Harsh comments were common during the first 25 exhibitions of New New Painting in European galleries and museums, but this was different. It came from home.

Please send your interpretation to: info@museumofnew.com

About the Museum of New, Toronto

Our movement New New Painting was launched in Paris in 1992, with a hardcover book of the same name. We had exhibitions in Europe and the USA. We opened this Museum in 1998 with exhibitions of New New Painters. We needed an exhibition place to survive in the long run, in order to overcome the aesthetic resistance from the establishment.

Museum of New
123 Bellwoods Avenue (back)
Toronto, ON M6J 2P6 Canada
www.museumofnew.com
For appointments text 416-603-4111.

Accessibility: The building is not accessible to wheelchairs.