What You Need to Know: While American artist Daniel Arsham may be best known for his avant-garde sculptures and installations, a current exhibition in New York sheds light on another facet of his practice: photography. On view through June 15, 2024, Fotografiska presents “Daniel Arsham: Phases,” his first-ever photography exhibition that includes 25 images taken over a period of more than two decades that have never been shown before. The show also features some of Arsham’s sculptures, and marking the occasion, the artist hand wrote captions for each piece exhibited. Coinciding with the exhibition is the release of a fully illustrated monograph, produced by his representing gallery Perrotin, that focuses specifically on Arsham’s photography.
Chairman of Fotografiska Yoram Roth said, “I’ve followed Daniel’s career as a sculptor and designer as both a friend and a fan, and I’m proud to support his next chapter to unveil his photography practice to the world at Fotografiska. Daniel’s thoughtful and methodical work resonates with all of us striving to find beauty and order in our busy lives, and I’m thrilled for his fellow New Yorkers to celebrate this triumph at our museum.”
About the Artist: New York-based multidisciplinary artist Daniel Arsham (b. 1980) is widely recognized for his sculpture works that engage with architecture, art history, and conceptual themes around everyday lived experience. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Arsham grew up in Miami, Florida, and attended the Design and Architecture High School before relocating to attend the Cooper Union in New York City, where in 2003 he was granted the German Trust Fellowship Award. His work frequently plays on expectation and perception, with new sculptures appearing as ancient artifacts or manipulating a spaces architecture to make it appear eroded or decaying. Arsham has collaborated with numerous design firms and brands, including Dior, Tiffany and Co., Hot Wheels, and Adidas, as well as more recently Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
Why We Like It: Arsham’s work has in many ways become synonymous with the contemporary zeitgeist, with his formal practice as well as high-profile collaborations appearing worldwide and offering viewers intriguing, and often playful, interpretations of contemporary life and experiences. Until now, Arsham’s photography has been largely overshadowed by his work in other genres, and the present exhibition “Phases” offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore this distinctive aspect of the artist’s practice. The images on view highlight Arsham’s creative vision in an exceedingly raw way; a quiet moment at a natural history museum exhibit, a canonic Renaissance sculpture from a unique vantage point, or a macro view of an urban landscape, together illustrate how he sees the world and what fuels his creativity.
See inside the exhibition below.
Installation view of “Daniel Arsham: Phases” (2024). Courtesy of Fotografiska, New York.
Installation view of “Daniel Arsham: Phases” (2024). Courtesy of Fotografiska, New York.
Installation view of “Daniel Arsham: Phases” (2024). Courtesy of Fotografiska, New York.
Installation view of “Daniel Arsham: Phases” (2024). Courtesy of Fotografiska, New York.
Installation view of “Daniel Arsham: Phases” (2024). Courtesy of Fotografiska, New York.
“David Arsham: Phases” is on view at Fotografiska, New York, through June 15, 2024.