In recent years, two distinct figures have dominated the adidas limelight: Kanye West and Pharrell Williams. While they are undeniably two of the most acclaimed and diversely talented creatives in the scene today, there is another multi-hyphenate signed to the brand with the three stripes that we feel is worthy of a little more shine from the spotlight: Daniel Arsham.
Daniel Arsham
So, in today’s article, we’re exploring the history and diverse range of talents of this acclaimed creative and part-time adidas collaborator.
From the Beginning
Daniel Arsham was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 8, 1980. He spent much of his formative years growing up in Miami, Florida, but moved to New York City as a young adult at the turn of the millennium to pursue and refine his passion for the arts. There he studied at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, a revered private college dedicated solely to studies in architecture, fine arts and engineering. In 2003, in his graduating year, he took out the Gelman Trust Fellowship Award in recognition of his talents. Truly, there was no doubt as to Arsham’s tremendous creative potential, it was just a matter of where and how he would apply it.
Going Global
With his formal studies complete, Arsham immediately began to spread his wings and take his talents worldwide. Inspired by the power of collaboration, he participated in the group show Miami Nice in Paris, in 2004, which was hosted at the Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin. Impressed by Arsham’s work, the gallery would officially represent him in the region from 2005 onwards. Arsham is no one-trick pony though. He saw excitement in experimenting with new areas of art and design and spreading his creative energy across multiple mediums and formats.
In 2004, he was also approached by acclaimed choreographer Merce Cunningham to design stages for his work eyeSpace, an offer he graciously accepted. Arsham lacked formal training in stage design, but the architecturally focused nature of his work had shown significant potential. This role saw Arsham take to the skies once again as he accompanied the Merce Cunningham Dance Company extensively around America, and overseas to both Australia and France.
Snarkitecture
Applying his appreciation for collaboration, Arsham formed the New York-based design practice Snarkitecture in 2007, together with fellow Cooper Union alumni Alex Mustonen. The peculiar name was derived in reference to Lewis Carroll’s The Hunting of The Snark, encapsulating the poem’s enigmatic tale of an ‘impossible voyage of an improbable crew to find an inconceivable creature.’ By the practice’s own admission, it ‘focuses on the reinterpretation of everyday materials, structures and programs to new and imaginative effect.’
In the 12 years since its foundation, Snarkitecture has established a notable reputation, particularly for its large-scale projects that include installations and drool-worthyy interior design. In fact, you have probably already encountered Snarkitecture’s work and not even realised it – they are responsible for some of America’s most jaw-dropping streetwear store fit-outs, including Stampd and Kith. The practice has also collaborated with fashion designers like Public School and Richard Chai, among others. This is just a small part of what Snarkitecture has achieved, however. Their list of credits is as long as it is impressive.
Multi-Hyphenate
Defining exactly who Daniel Arsham is and what he does is no simple task, even if only because there is no one simple answer. He considers himself as straddling the line between art, performance and architecture, while never exclusively falling into any one specific sector. His work is a union of all three, expressed through the mediums of painting, sculpture, film and stage design… just to name a few. His work emphasises the importance of collaboration, not just between creatives, but between disciplines and mediums. His work is the product of unrelenting curiosity. In an interview with Hypebeast he stated ‘I’m constantly trying to make things I want to see exist in the world and I figure, hopefully, if I want to see them exist, other people may want to as well.’
The Brand with the Three Stripes
Whether you care for the art world or not, if you have a passion for sneakers and streetwear, you are likely to have encountered Daniel Arsham’s name in recent years thanks to his collaborative relationship with adidas. In 2017, we were treated to the first footwear collab between the two: a distressed take on the New York runner with hidden UV detail. His choice of model served as a subtle nod to his current hometown. Arsham followed this up with a darker take on the streamlined New York Present later that same year. In 2018, he took a crack at the bulbous ‘Feet You Wear’-inspired Crazy BYW, but it wasn’t until 2019 that Arsham would truly begin to throw his weight in the collab arena with the Daniel Arsham x adidas Futurecraft 4D. The monochromatic ‘Aero Green’ sneaker easily rates as one of the best adidas releases of the year and commands a four-figure asking price on the resale market.
adidas have made it clear that their relationship with Daniel Arsham is an ongoing one and we can’t wait to see what they cook up next. Stay tuned!
Keep up to date with Daniel Arsham’s latest work on Instagram @danielarsham