NAME OF THE MURAL:
THE MASKS OF DOUBLE STANDARDS
This mural unravels the many facets of hypocrisy in our society, criticizing double standards, corruption, social masks, and the unequal judgment of actions based on an individual's power or position.
A mask split in two confronts us with the hypocrisy inherent in constructing a public image. One side represents the facade that some use to seduce and manipulate, while the other, cynical and calculating, is revealed in the dollar sign in the eyes, symbolizing how power and greed can corrupt intentions. The inscription "Wrong – Right" next to this face highlights the social perception of this paradigm, underscoring the sad resignation of a population that, despite recognizing corruption, seems to accept it as an inevitable evil.
The figure of the chameleon, with its ability to change color and adapt to any environment, becomes a representation of hypocrisy and a lack of authenticity. Like the chameleon in Rubén Blades' song, some individuals change their stance and discourse according to convenience, always seeking personal gain. The phrase "I always know where you're coming from" warns us of the importance of staying alert and not being deceived by appearances.
"Do as I say, not as I do."
This phrase denounces the hypocrisy of those who impose rules and restrictions on the public while allowing themselves privileges and exceptions. It also applies to the State, which controls and dictates laws but doesn't always abide by them.
The three monkeys, covering their eyes, ears, and mouth, represent the denial of reality, omission, and complicit silence in the face of corruption and abuses of power. This image criticizes the passivity of society, which, out of fear or indifference, allows certain politicians to act with impunity.
An excerpt from:
Serrat's song "Algo Personal":
"Straw men who use cologne and honor to hide dark intentions, they live double lives, they are hitmen for evil, between those types and me, there's something personal." It underscores the criticism of those who use their position to mask reprehensible actions, reinforcing the denunciation of the double standards and hypocrisy that permeate power.
The irony intensifies with the phrase: "Social gatherings prohibited, except at my house," a sharp critique of the double standards of those in power who impose restrictions on the population while exempting themselves.
Ed, with his enormous smile and chaotic energy, bears on his head the eternal internal struggle. The angel and the demon whisper in his ears, representing the duality between good and evil, reason and impulse.
"A nun depicted in a provocative manner symbolizes the critique of the masks of chastity and purity. This image lays bare the duality between preached sanctity and repressed impulses, revealing the hypocrisy inherent in imposing strict norms while hiding human reality.
A drunken angel, hiding his ashamed face, represents the contradiction between the image of purity and the reality of temptation.
Mafalda, hiding her face with a paper mask, satirizes authenticity in a world where appearance often prevails over truth.
The duality of Gollum, torn between his "good" side (Sméagol) and his "bad" side (Gollum), reflects the internal struggle many experience as they grapple with their moral values and selfish desires.
The image suggests a critique of the hypocrisy of those who promote ideals of freedom and social struggle, while at the same time being chained by the consumerist and superficial dynamics of social media. It reflects on the authenticity of our convictions and actions in a world where image and appearance often prevail over reality.
The recreation of works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, such as the figure crowned with an enigmatic smile, reinforces the critique of duality and falsehood in power relationships. The crown, a symbol of authority, becomes a mask that conceals the true nature of those who wear it.
The Joker, traditionally associated with chaos and anarchy, appropriates the Anonymous mask, a symbol of resistance and the fight against oppression, to challenge conventions and expose the hypocrisy and corruption of the system.​
All of Argensud's murals are compositions created from texts, phrases, poems, drawings, and paintings by different artists, combined into a digital collage, and then painted with brushes and synthetic enamel on the walls.