ACCUMULATION Sculptures by Alben
Exhibition: March 7 - April 13, 2014 Opposite: Victoire de Somathrace McDonald’s, Mixed media in resin, 35.8 x 28 x 21.6 in | 91 x 71 x 55 cm
I
Accumulation Bonbons Series Mixed media in resin
Accumulation Bonbons III 11.8 x 11.8 x 2 in | 30 x30 x 5 cm
Accumulation Bonbons I 11.8 x 11.8 x 2 in | 30 x30 x 5 cm
Accumulation Bonbons IV 11.8 x 5.9 x 2 in | 30 x 15 x 5 cm
Accumulation Bonbons II (Cover Image) 7.9 x 11.8 x 2 in | 20 x 30 x 5 cm
Accumulation Bonbons V 7.9 x 11.8 x 2 in | 20 x 30 x 5 cm
III
IV
V
Victoire de Samothrace TsingTao Mixed media in resin 35.8 x 28 x 21.6 in | 91 x 71 x 55 cm
Victoire de Samothrace Renminbi Mixed media in resin 35.8 x 28 x 21.6 in | 91 x 71 x 55 cm
Cr창ne Gold, Mixed media in resin, 9.1 x 7.9 x 11.8 in | 23 x 20 x 30 cm
Cr창ne Vegas Chip, Mixed media in resin, 9.1 x 7.9 x 11.8 in | 23 x 20 x 30 cm
“Accumulation,” the new exhibition from Alben is a clear nod to Arman, continuing to show his debt to the late artist responsible for originally popularizing and defining the medium. Much more than mere homage, however, Alben advances Arman’s concept of resin-encased detritus-as-art. Alben’s resin vessels containing these accumulated items reference fine art objects in themselves – Michelangelo’s David, the Venus de Milo – or iconic characters from history and pop culture, like Marilyn Monroe, Darth Vader and Snow White. These important figures are reduced to little more than ghosts whose innards hold our cultural wastes. After the influx of Pop Art in the ‘60s compelled us to see advertising and product packaging as art, we have been bombarded with so much imagery in our daily lives that the question becomes “can we un-see common objects as art?” The product has become the basis of our reference. In his accumulations, Alben shows us Pop Art in reverse – the shock of seeing a Campbell’s soup can on a canvas as it was in Warhol’s day is long behind us. The shock in Alben’s work is seeing the Coke cans first, then realizing the encasement which holds them is the head of Chairman Mao. The packaging has become the focal point, leaving everything else ephemeral. Alben shows us the lack of separation between fine art and the product – our material aspirations, our desires to accumulate, are transparent. Angelo Madrigale Specialist, Contemporary Art & Design DOYLE New York
Disclaimer: Alben’s works have been sold at DOYLE Auction House New York. Mao Coke Olympic was sold in April 2013 for US$8125 and David Coke in November 2013 for US$7500.
David Coke II Mixed media in resin 25.6 x 15.7 x 14 in | 65 x 40 x 35 cm
David Red Bull Chinois Mixed media in resin 25.6 x 15.7 x 14 in | 65 x 40 x 35 cm
Dodge Charger Motherboard Mixed media in resin 5 x 16 x 5 in | 13 x 41 x 13 cm
Dodge Charger Red Car Mixed media in resin 5 x 16 x 5 in | 13 x 41 x 13 cm
Gas Coke Mixed media in resin 10.6 x 6.7 x 4.1 in | 27 x 17 x 10.5 cm
Snow White Bonbons Mixed media in resin 28.8 x 8.7 x 8.7 in | 73 x 22 x 22 cm
Mao Buste Smileys Mixed media in resin 11.4 x 10.2 x 6.7 in | 29 x 26 x 17 cm
Mao Buste McDonald’s Mixed media in resin 11.4 x 10.2 x 6.7 in | 29 x 26 x 17 cm Mao Buste Tide Mixed media in resin 11.4 x 10.2 x 6.7 in | 29 x 26 x 17 cm
Mao Debout Coke/Coke Zero (Grand) Mixed media in resin 37 x 11.8 x 8.7 in | 94 x 30 x 22 cm
Mao Debout Action (Grand) Mixed media in resin 37 x 11.8 x 8.7 in | 94 x 30 x 22 cm
Mao Debout Cars (Grand) Mixed media in resin 37 x 11.8 x 8.7 in | 94 x 30 x 22 cm
Mao Debout China (Grand) Mixed media in resin 37 x 11.8 x 8.7 in | 94 x 30 x 22 cm
Rhino Coke Mixed media in resin 7 x 13 x 5 in | 18 x 33 x 13 cm
Rhino TsingTao Mixed media in resin 7 x 13 x 5 in | 18 x 33 x 13 cm
I grew up with an obsession for objects - always I was finding things to accumulate. There was never any particular criteria for the things I would collect, except that they had to be found. Alben
Alben’s sculptures intermingle classically proven elements with contemporary mass produced items ranging from assorted candy and wrappers appropriately housed in blocks in his Accumulation series to skulls, like Crâne Gold, composed of coinage and resin that demonstrates the very clear message of commodification. David’s bust is re-rendered in resin, but his interior is housed with crushed Coca-Cola cans. The idea of the exterior shape representing something different than the interior is at play in Alben’s sculptures that include takes on the Venus de Milo, a bust of Marilyn Monroe, busts and full statues of dictator Mao and mash-ups of Mao and Lucas’ Star Wars figures. The strength of the pieces reside in an immediate recognition from the brand housed inside secondary figures that are not traditionally interpreted as brands in the strictest sense. The sculptures’ beauty as objects is apparent from the first glance, because of their lively colors and inviting shapes. John Gosslee Editor, Fjords Review
Darth Vader Coke Zero Mixed media in resin 36.2 x 17.75 x 9.9 in | 92 x 45 x 25 cm
Mao Star Wars Series Mixed media in resin
Mao Star Wars Gold 13.4 x 4.75 x 3.1 in | 34 x 12 x 8 cm
Mao Star Wars Black 13.4 x 4.75 x 3.1 in | 34 x 12 x 8 cm
Mao Star Wars Darth Vader 13.4 x 4.75 x 3.1 in | 34 x 12 x 8 cm
Mao Star Wars Yellow 13.4 x 4.75 x 3.1 in | 34 x 12 x 8 cm
Mao Star Wars Stormtrooper 13.4 x 4.75 x 3.1 in | 34 x 12 x 8 cm
Marilyn Army Men Mixed media in resin 25.2 x 15.8 x 9.9 in | 64 x 40 x 25 cm
Mickey/Michelin Ceramique Mixed media in resin 25.2 x 15.8 x 9.9 in | 64 x 40 x 25 cm Mickey/Michelin Plastic Mixed media in resin 25.2 x 15.8 x 9.9 in | 64 x 40 x 25 cm
Venus de Milo Tide Mixed media in resin 43.3 x 15 x 9.9 in | 110 x 38 x 25 cm
Venus de Milo Red Bull Chinois (Side) Mixed media in resin 43.3 x 15 x 9.9 in | 110 x 38 x 25 cm
Venus de Milo Cars (Back) Mixed media in resin 43.3 x 15 x 9.9 in | 110 x 38 x 25 cm
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