Damián Ortega: The Art Bubble Had to Burst

Damián Ortega, a Mexican artist hailing from Mexico City and born in 1967, initially worked as a political cartoonist. He critically analyzes everyday items to expose the social dynamics at play. One of his notable works, "Cosmic Thing," created in 2002, involved taking apart a Volkswagen Beetle. In an interview during the pandemic, Ortega expressed that the art market was due for a collapse, with COVID-19 acting as the catalyst. His recent endeavors include a clothing line made from cement bag remnants and concrete sculptures showcased at Barbara Gladstone Gallery, where he reimagines buildings as fossils adorned with Egyptian-style masks. His latest curatorial effort, TITAN, co-curated with Bree Zucker, showcases twelve artists' works in telephone booths along 6th Avenue, aiming to reclaim public space while reflecting on power and transformation.