Tom Sachs' American Hand Made Paintings at Thaddaeus Ropac Paris
American artist Tom Sachs presents new works at Thaddaeus Ropac's Marais gallery in Paris from March 29 to May 3, 2014, under the title American Hand Made Paintings. The exhibition features pieces created using marquetry, pyrography, and polymer painting, reflecting Sachs' DIY aesthetic that contrasts with industrial perfection. Sachs' work explores themes of American culture, consumerism, and space exploration, often incorporating functional elements and comedic details. Notable works include Barbie Slave Ship (2013), a model of an 18th-century English ship, and a maquette of the Challenger shuttle. Sachs discusses his ambivalent relationship with American culture, his studio as a 'teaching hospital,' and his philosophy of 'sympathetic magic' to build the America he wants to live in. The exhibition includes portraits of icons like Marlon Brando and references to the American dollar, McDonald's logo, and NASA. Sachs' films, available on his website, provide further insight into his world.
Key facts
- Exhibition runs from March 29 to May 3, 2014 at Thaddaeus Ropac Marais, Paris.
- Title: American Hand Made Paintings.
- Media include marquetry, pyrography, and polymer painting.
- Sachs' work features a DIY aesthetic with materials like plywood, adhesive tape, and lightweight cardboard.
- Barbie Slave Ship (2013) is a model of an 18th-century British ship with functional compartments.
- Sachs created a replica of a moon capsule for a 2007 Gagosian Gallery landing.
- In 2012, Sachs spent a month in a Mars base on Armory Park Avenue, New York.
- Sachs studied at the Architectural Association in London and worked in Frank Gehry's studio.
- The exhibition includes works referencing Louis Armstrong, Marlon Brando, and the Polaroid SX-70.
- Sachs' studio operates as a 'teaching hospital' with strict rules and a focus on labor.
- The font USAF Amarillo is used in works, similar to Ed Ruscha's Boys Scout Utility Modern.
- Untitled (Spiderweb) (2013-2014) took over 2,000 man hours to create.
Entities
Artists
- Tom Sachs
- Pat McCarthy
- Neistat brothers
- Frank Gehry
- Le Corbusier
- Mies van der Rohe
- Ray Eames
- Charles Eames
- Raymond Loewy
- Henry Dreyfuss
- Joseph Selame
- Ed Ruscha
- Werner Herzog
- Marlon Brando
- Louis Armstrong
- Larry Gagosian
- Richard Leydier
- Lisa Unger
Institutions
- Thaddaeus Ropac
- Gagosian Gallery
- Architectural Association
- NASA
- United States Air Force
- United Federation of Planets
- Goodwill Industries
- Polaroid
- Apple
- McDonald's
- Prada
- Chanel
- Lyon Biennale
- Armory Park Avenue
- Friche Belle de Mai
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Marais
- Beverly Hills
- California
- New York
- Armory Park Avenue
- London
- United Kingdom
- Detroit
- Soho-Mall
- Marseille
- Jupiter
- Europa
- Moon
- Mars
Sources
- artpress —