Daniel Arsham

A playful balance between art, architecture and performance, American born artist Daniel Arsham, conjures a kind of mythical contemporary archaeology in his artistic practice, distorting recognisable forms into corroded and calcified artefacts. His works span film, painting, sculpture and installation, and even goes as far as to manipulating gallery spaces in order to create the desired effect. Arsham has also ventured into collaborations with fashion brands, interior and architectural design, since the founding of collaborative practice, Snarkitecture. 

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Daniel Arsham was raised in Miami and attended the Design and Architecture High School. He was later awarded a full scholarship to The Cooper Union in New York. After graduating, Arsham moved back to Miami and produced an exhibition space called ‘The House’, which lead to gallery representation with Gallery Perrotin. 

Architecture is a prevalent subject area for Arsham, manipulating and experimenting with architecture to do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do. He inflicts a general playfulness within existing structures, thus allowing his work to confuse and confound the viewer on what constitutes space and form.

Daniel’s ongoing interrogation into the real and imagined has lead him to stage design. In 2004, Arsham was asked by Merce Cunningham to stage design his work eyeSpace. Following this, Arsham has collaborated with musician and producer, Pharrell Williams, recreating in Volcanic Ash of Pharrell’s first keyboard. In 2007, Arsham co-founded Snarkitecture with Alex Mustonen to serve as a creative platform for new and imaginative purposes. Since its founding, they have embarked on many initiatives, including the entrance of Design Miami and a complete production line of functional design objects. 

Most recently, Arsham has delved into film production and continues to expand on his artist projects. His works have been shown at PS1 in New York, The Museum of Contemporary Art in Miami and The Athens Biennale among others.