Celebrities, beautiful women and once in a lifetime kind of events — the world around us knows how to capture both our attention and imagination and not let them go. Pop art finds itself inherently on the crossing between reality and the fantasy image we create around it. Whether through cheeky references or stylised language of art, Pop art introduces ways of seeing that help us discover ourselves at the same cross-roads.

Pop art as a historical phenomenon was wider than the tight circle knit around Andy Warhol and his studio The Factory in New York. The referential, tongue in cheek, colourful movement found different expressions all around the world. In PoCo Pop art from around the world finds a home. From the collages of Mimmo Rotella (IT) to the one of Ismo Kajander (FIN).

Speaking in the language of brands, consumer goods and trademarks, the position of Pop art pieces has often been precarious. Where does the critique end and where does simple advertising begin? When does advertising itself turn into a form of critique? PoCo invites our visitors to contemplate on this duality inherent to the art movement itself.

Street art has its origins in Pop art and the umbilical cord between the two can still be felt. Both from the “in your face” attitude that the images carry to the insolent jokes in the centre of the artworks themselves. Through contemporary masters of street art like Keith Haring (US) or Banksy (UK), PoCo presents contemporary art as something wider than what can be seen in the halls of art galleries.

One of PoCos missions is documenting Pop art as it has both made its way into and shaped digital culture as we know it today. From NFTs to virtual- and augmented reality, the museum is focused on highlighting the trends of today as they become the future.