Pop Culture in Decay: 26 Works by Daniel Arsham Available in Single-Artist Auction

In college, a professor taught Daniel Arsham how to manipulate materials, taking something as simple as cardboard and transforming it into an otherworldly artifact. Today, Arsham still uses this technique, except with much rarer materials, such as volcanic ash and quartz crystals. Heritage Auctions will offer 26 works by Daniel Arsham in this single-artist sale. That includes a basketball made of hydrostone and quartz crystals. The piece mostly looks like a regular basketball, from its bumpy texture to the word “Dior” printed on the side to resemble a team name. However, a crack on one side of the ball reveals the crystals hidden within, giving the impression that someone was mining this ball for precious minerals. 

Daniel Arsham was born colorblind, a perceived limitation he turned into an advantage by producing intense whites, blacks, and grays in his work. In this auction, for example, bidders will find a cassette tape in all-white deteriorating like an ancient Roman statue. Decay is a common theme in Arsham’s work. He often makes contemporary items look like artifacts found by future civilizations. Another example in this sale is a mold of Pikachu with clear deterioration on the ears, tail, and torso. Those interested in this or any other piece can register to bid on Heritage Auctions’ website. Please note that current bids may have changed since publication.