Deitch Projects, New York Saatchi Collection, London Phillips de Pury & Company, New York, Contemporary Art: Part I, November 12, 2009, lot 2 Acquired at the above sale by the present owner
Exhibited
London, Royal Academy of Arts, USA Today, October 6 - November 4, 2006 San Francisco, Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, de Young Museum, Real to Real: Photographs from the Trevor Traina Collection, June 9, 2012 - September 16, 2012
Literature
USA Today, exh. cat., Royal Academy Publications, London, 2006, p. 355 (illustrated) Reel to Reel: Photographs from the Traina Collection, exh. cat., Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, 2012, plates 40-43 (illustrated)
Catalogue Essay
American artist Dash Snow ran away from home at the age of 13 and quickly became consumed by the grungy glamour of the New York art scene. His snapshot Polaroids constitute a historical album of his adventures: partying, smoking and drinking in the city that never sleeps. His gang of friends serve as his models, naked or clothed, drunk or high, as they lounge about with ennui or jump about with drug-induced energy. "Like Ryan McGinley or Nan Goldin, who have also chronicled the downtown Manhattan scene, Snow takes a romantic approach and participates completely in the moments he documents, which ensures that his photographs do not collapse into voyeurism.” (C. Iles and P. Vergne, "Dash Snow," Whitney Biennal 2006—Day for Night, New York, 2006, p. 330)
The present lot, a medley of 20 images, represents a kaleidoscopic view of Dash’s life, that of a young kid aimlessly wandering the streets of the city in which he resides. His chaotic and drug-driven benders would eventually steal the best of him, as most tragic tales end. Fellow artist and friend Ryan McGinley, reminisces of these “drug and alcohol induced memories”, stating “It's always been a bottle of Jack, a bag of coke, and some beers. And lots of bathrooms. That was just our relationship. That's what our lives were. Adventures on drugs. And it's what eventually led him to his death.” (R .McGinley, "Remembering Dash Snow," Vice Magazine, New York, July 2009).
2005 20 chromogenic prints each 19 6/8 x 19 6/8 in. (50.2 x 50.2 cm) Signed "Dash Snow" on a paper affixed to the reverse of one element. This work is unique.
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
Sold for $68,750
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