Daniel Arsham American , b. 1980

Works
Biography

“Daniel Arsham is a multidisciplinary artist whose work blurs the boundaries between past, present, and future through his concept of fictional archaeology. Using materials like volcanic ash, sand, and selenite, he transforms everyday objects and human figures into ‘future relics’ — eroded artifacts that appear to have been unearthed after centuries. Drawing from pop culture, architecture, and romanticism, Arsham’s practice explores themes of memory, cultural decay, and technological obsolescence, offering a poetic meditation on time and the enduring power of symbols.”

 

Daniel Arsham’s uchronic aesthetic is rooted in his concept of fictional archaeology. Through sculpture, architecture, drawing, and film, he constructs ambiguous, in-between spaces and stages what he calls “future relics” — eroded casts of modern artifacts and human figures. Crafted from geological materials like sand, selenite, or volcanic ash, these objects appear as if they’ve been unearthed after centuries underground.

Often referencing late 20th-century and millennial culture, Arsham’s works reflect on rapid technological obsolescence and the digital fading of the physical world. Blending romanticism with pop art, his haunting yet playful visions collapse the boundaries of past, present, and future, while exploring the enduring power of symbols and gestures across time and cultures.

Bibliography
  • Arsham, D. (2012). Daniel Arsham: Reach Ruin. New York: The Fabric Workshop and Museum.

  • Arsham, D. (2015). Daniel Arsham: Fictional Archeology. Paris: Perrotin Editions.

  • Arsham, D. (2018). 3018. Tokyo: Bijutsu Shuppan-Sha.

  • Arsham, D. (2020). Arsham Auto Motive. Paris: Perrotin Editions.

  • Deitch, J., & Arsham, D. (2019). Daniel Arsham. Paris: Perrotin Editions.

  • Zevitas, S. (2010). “Daniel Arsham.” New American Paintings, Issue 92.

  • Sheets, H. M. (2020, March 4). “Daniel Arsham Brings the Future Back to the Present.” The New York Times.
    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/04/arts/design/daniel-arsham.html

  • Perrotin Gallery. (n.d.). Daniel Arsham – Artist Biography and Exhibitions. Retrieved from https://www.perrotin.com

  • Arsham Studio. (n.d.). Official Website. Retrieved from https://danielarsham.com