DANIEL MENA , A SON OF POP

Chilean artist Daniel Mena fancies himself a junior Warhol. His gaudy paintings parrot Andy's silk-screens in both style and substance. Mena's subjects -- blandly perfect catwalk mannequins, Jessica Simpson playing Daisy Duke, portraits of the artist as a chick magnet -- are culled from contemporary pop culture, fashion spreads and the artist's indulgent imagination. Whether Mena's project glorifies or savages celebutainment remains an open question.

Daniel Mena at the Embassy of Chile, 1732 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 202-530-4118, to Sept. 1, http://www.chile-usa.org

Jessica Dawson
Art Critic - The Washington Post - Saturday, August 5, 2006; Page C02

Daniel Mena's work at the Chilean Embassy: Perfect for shiny, happy people-watching.