Opening, April 21, 2026, 6 pm
Exhibition, April 22 – May 22, 2026
MUME Museo Mexicano is a nomadic anti-museum founded by Oscar Cueto to provoke new narratives in the entangled web of ever-changing geopolitical circumstances and global migration. Under this name, Cueto invites international artists to develop collaborative projects in Austria and beyond. The realization and format of each edition of MUME are tailored to the contents of the respective project in order to respond to contemporary challenges from various artistic perspectives and open spaces for discussions on cultural and social norms outside of the confines of the established cultural discourse. Migration, a central theme, is exemplified through collaboration, by listening to and amplifying the voices of often overlooked communities who operate outside of ethnic, social, geographical, economic, or political privilege. By dismantling outdated perceptions and beliefs, redefining the function of institutions and conventional roles of art, abolishing vertical hierarchies, and distancing itself from the prevailing commodification strategies in art, MUME becomes a dynamic space where artistic production can be experienced not only from an aesthetic perspective but also as an expression of political and social responsibility.
An “anti-museum” like MUME is conceived as a critical take on traditional, often elitist and normative museum structures. In the words of Oscar Cueto, “With MUME, I raise the question of whether it is still possible to envision the museum as a tool that serves the needs of the community, rather than engaging in national branding or reproducing itself in the form of franchise models. Is there a future for the museum as a place (in time and space) where communities can come together to share values and experiences, preserve memories, and decide together when a new beginning is necessary?” MUME rejects common notions of museums as permanent, static institutions that exhibit artworks as isolated objects. Instead, it understands art as a process in constant flux and interaction with social, political, and cultural contexts. Contrary to avant-garde museums or formats staged by artists as proclamations of personal visions, the anti-museum offers a counter-model to the institutionalized art world that bridges the divide between art and society and promotes dialogue with marginalized perspectives.
Oscar Cueto (b. 1976 in Mexico) lives and works in Vienna and Mexico City.
www.oscarcueto.com
