LOS ANGELES (Feb. 2, 2023) – The automotive and art scenes will converge with the Petersen Automotive Museum’s new exhibition “Arsham Auto Motive”, a collection of vehicle sculptures and posters created by renowned interdisciplinary artist Daniel Arsham.
Opening to the public on February 25 in the Armand Hammer Foundation Gallery, this contemporary showcase will provide a time capsule of automotive history. Arsham’s personal passion for cars and fascination with archeology takes form through the presentation of four full-scale vehicles in his signature “eroded” fictional archeological technique.
Daniel Arsham crafts objects which investigate ideas of history, symbology and pop culture through the selection of vehicles featured in notable Hollywood films. Presented in geological materials, these familiar objects act as remnants of the present through the eyes of future audiences, providing an alternative lens to some of the world’s most prominent OEMs.
On display in “Arsham Auto Motive” are the Eroded 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback, 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster, 2018 Eroded Ferrari and 2022 Blue Calcite Eroded Porsche 911. Unlike their namesakes, these sculptures consist of elements like selenite, quartz, pyrite and volcanic ash to manifest an unearthed effect. Additional exhibit highlights are the never-before-seen Selenite Eroded BMW Poster, Amethyst Eroded Porsche 911 Poster, and Ash and Pyrite Eroded Mustang Poster.
“I’m excited to share my work with the city of Los Angeles and its vast community of car enthusiasts. Automotive design is in a constant state of evolution and this exhibition strives to reflect both its origins and future.”
Daniel Arsham, artist
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, and a recipient of the Gelman Trust Fellowship Award in 2003, Arsham’s fictional archeology aesthetic combines the influence of multiple eras and spans sculpture, architecture, interior design, drawing, film, stage and fashion. In addition to his work exhibited throughout the U.S., France, UK and Greece, Arsham co-founded the architecture practice Snarkitecture with Alex Mustonen and recently launched his fashion brand, Objects IV Life, following high-profile collaborations with Dior, Adidas, Tiffany, UNIQLO and RIMOWA.
“Having previously exhibited Keith Haring and Andy Warhol’s work, it is evident that pop culture and the automotive sector make for an exciting, crowd-pleasing combination. Daniel Arsham’s talent makes a strong case that cars can inspire artistic creations while also serving as art pieces themselves.”
Terry L. Karges, Petersen Automotive Museum Executive Director
Arsham and the museum will also release an exclusive line of merchandise available for purchase at the Petersen and via their online store. “Arsham Auto Motive” is supported by Perrotin and the Library Street Collective.
To purchase tickets or for more information about the Petersen Automotive Museum, please visit www.Petersen.org/arsham.