daniel arsham forms broken figure from crystal and volcanic ash

daniel arsham forms broken figure from crystal and volcanic ash
image © designboom

formed from exotic, earthen elements, daniel arsham‘s ‘broken figure’ pierces the white wall of baró galeria‘s exhibition booth at miami beach’s UNTITLED art fair. the american artist has cast five separate body parts of a standing, female from selenite, volcanic ash, and hydrostone, each sculpted individually, but configured together as an entire human chassis. attached to the surface of the wall, the figure’s limbs — two arms and two legs — face, and bust protrude outward from the interior enclosure, seemingly walking out from its solid backdrop.

the middle of the body is missing — each of the extremities are torn off from their absent anatomy in fragments, revealing sparkling shards of crystal, heavy sections of hydrostone cement, and powdery cinders of volcanic ash. chunks of smooth selenite reveal themselves within the broken limbs, burrowing within a cavity carved out of the face and hidden within an opening in the hand. the haunting sight echoes arsham’s distinct fascination in these materials, and their relationship to forms that convey a vision for fossilized items found in an imagined, future archeological dig.

‘broken figure’ pierces the white wall of brazilian gallery baró galeria’s exhibition booth
image © designboom

the female form is missing the middle of her body, leaving only the limbs to hang from the walls surrounding 
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the female bust is broken off below the neck, revealing shards of crystal and ash 
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five separate body parts of a standing, female are formed from selenite, volcanic ash, and hydrostone
image © designboom

chunks of crystal are embedded into the face of the broken figure 
image © designboom

the eerie sculptural portrait is made from a mix of earthen elements 
image © designboom

sparkling pieces of rock and crystal are hidden within an opening in the hand 
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the fragmented body is torn off at the limbs
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the tears reveal huge pieces of rock and ash cast into a corporeal configuration 
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shards of selenite protrude from the figure’s broken shoulder 
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each of the extremities are torn off from their absent anatomy in fragments
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the sculpture reveals sparkling shards of crystal and heavy sections of hydrostone cement
image © designboom

the feet placed on the floor wear a pair of nike sneakers 
image © designboom