Moonscape 1985

Roy Lichtenstein made this “Moonscape” screenprint, and it's all about how brushstrokes can be totally fake, yet still super evocative. Here, Lichtenstein throws shade at Abstract Expressionism by mimicking its gestures. These aren't real spontaneous marks; they're carefully planned simulations. The color is bold, like in his pop art, but used to create a pseudo-natural scene. Look at the blues and greens, thick and juicy but totally flat. It’s kinda like taking a painting class and the teacher telling you how to 'express' yourself, but you're just copying what you think expression should look like. I think Lichtenstein's poking fun at the idea of originality in art. It reminds me of David Hockney’s landscapes, where he also plays with the artificiality of representing nature. In the end, it's a smart jab at art history, reminding us that everything is a remix of something else.