2018

Book, 15 x 22 cm, 455 p, language : English, publisher : BFA Press, ISBN: 978-0996021531.
Materials: ink, paper

Collection: Collection M HKA, Antwerp (Inv. no. B 2030/175).

Literary synopsis

Jumpjuice is an essence, derived from a plant on a planet named Salta. The majority of the inhabitants of Salta use JumpJuice daily despite the fact that it is illegal. Blue is an artist from Earth. What begins as a resolution to finally finish something he started roughly twenty-five years earlier, becomes a quest that will change the fate of at least one world, and quite possibly two. Mandatory reading for anyone who doesn't believe that marijuana should be legalized, suggested reading for the rest of us. Blue is pulled along on a journey by a character of his own creation. After a series of fantastic transformations, Blue emerges from the back of an ambulance, on a different planet, in the body of a recently deceased mob leader. His character, Leer, the one who dragged him into the whole thing, has also emerged from the back of an ambulance in the ressurected body of a recently deceased mob leader. These two men had been the cause of one another’s death. Blue and Leer must adapt quickly as all eyes are on them. They look around them to find that they are completely surrounded by police, armed mobs, news vehicles and their tethered voiceboxes and assorted onlookers, all of whom appear to be in shock. Blue is now Tommy Levito and Leer is Victor Alonso. Only one of them has ever jumped from one body to another, but neither knows where or who they are.

Relation of the novel to the artist’s practice

Blue is continuing as a larger art piece, including paintings, sculpture and McMahon'a original concept, Blue: An illustrated Novel. Chapters 1–6 have been published, and paintings from the work have been shown in solo and group exhibitions in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The concept of the story is that Blue is an artist who goes through an amazing transformation. His art transforms as he transforms. A glimpse into the trials and tribulations of creating a comic, bursts into an adventure that reveals the universe of imagination that is McMahon's art practice. Creating art in a variety of media, from a unique perspective, with attention to detail and a love for life and the planet we live on defines that practice. Blue may be the most obvious connection of McMahon's written work with his paintings, but a distinct thread can be followed when moving even further out to series work like Super-Heroes Thrust into Domestic Situations. This series exposes issues within the human condition while humorously casting superheroes in everyday roles. Heroes are very important to humans. The series NuHeroes is colorful and appealing. Born from 'NuCubism', a style of McMahon's own contrivance, the heroes within the series are artists, musicians, activists, writers, actors, etc. We admire those who achieve a level of skill, technique and artistry, gaining notoriety, influencing styles and birthing entire movements.

Novel's website