daniel arsham reveals ‘eroded summer’

 

within the generous green spaces of regent’s park in london sits an enormous partly-eroded bust sculpture, speckled with patinated bronze. this is the work of none other than new york-based artist daniel arsham, who was invited by the frieze london art fair to contribute to its temporary sculpture garden —which is part of its revised post-COVID program— with a new piece.

 

the impressive large-scale sculpture is accompanied by one more unveiling by arsham: a public piece for the whiteley, a new retail and residential space in a former west london shopping centre. titled ‘eroded summer’, the piece is based on a 1911 sculpture from the original façade of the building, which was first crafted by french artist paul gasq. arsham’s iteration takes shape as a 3D-scanned replica of gasq’s piece, but shattered, with shiny bronze fragments emerging from the eroded parts. adopting arsham’s signature style, the scultpure ultimately presents a unique blend of antique and contemporary aesthetics. 

daniel arsham revives renowned bronzes in a series of eroded sculptures
the ‘eroded summer’ piece in whiteley

image courtesy of thierry bal

 

an enormous bust sinks into the ground of regent’s park

 

the regent’s park piece by daniel arsham (see more here) takes the form of an eroded ancient bust sinking into the ground. fragments ruptured from eroded lesions interrupt its smooth surface while polished bronze crystals, emerge from its worn skin, marking arsham’s iconic style. the artist has positioned this temporary work with the intent to stimulate passers-by attention. on his instagram account, the artist encourages his followers to find it, capture it, and send him the pictures.

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by ARSHAM STUDIO 3021 (@danielarsham)

 

‘eroded summer’ questions time, history and future

 

unlike the sculpture in regent’s park, the whiteley work will become a permanent addition to the building’s architecture, after its completion in 2023. ‘eroded summer’ will remain in place, displayed directly alongside the original work it is based on. 

 

this unique project offers the opportunity to experience one of london’s most treasured buildings, through the creative lens of arsham. with its signature design, the sculpture explores the concepts of time, history, and future, while its erosion infers that it may have existed for a thousand years, instead of its actual 100-year-old age. arsham’s use of crystals also questions whether this work is decaying or actually growing towards completion, as crystals and minerals do. 

 

daniel arsham had received, together with alex mustonen (snarkitecture) THE DESIGN PRIZE 2017 golden madonnina in the category ‘distribution’ for their artistic collaboration with valextra. find more about THE DESIGN PRIZE 2017 winners, here. 

 

bronze crystals emerge from daniel arsham's fragmented sculptures in 'eroded summer'
daniel arsham next to ‘eroded summer’ in whiteley

image courtesy of jamie stoker bronze crystals emerge from daniel arsham's fragmented sculptures in 'eroded summer'

daniel arsham next to ‘eroded summer’ in whiteley

image courtesy of jamie stoker

 

 

 

1/6
image courtesy of thierry bal
image courtesy of thierry bal
image courtesy of thierry bal
image courtesy of thierry bal
image courtesy of thierry bal
image courtesy of thierry bal
image courtesy of thierry bal
image courtesy of thierry bal
image courtesy of thierry bal
image courtesy of thierry bal
image courtesy of thierry bal
image courtesy of thierry bal

project info:

 

name: eroded summer

by: daniel arsham 

location: the whiteley gallery, 31 st petersburgh place
dates: 16 – 17 october 2021