Takeaway
2018
A monumental outdoor sculpture depicting a human figure constructed entirely of crumpled aluminum foil, balancing an impossibly tall tower of stacked aluminum takeout food containers on its head. The figure adopts a dynamic, off-balance pose with one leg raised, suggesting the precarious effort of carrying an enormous burden. Tom Friedman is celebrated for his conceptually rigorous use of everyday materials to create startling, often humorous works that comment on consumer culture and modern life. This piece is a compelling example of his ability to transform mundane domestic objects into large-scale, awe-inspiring public sculpture.
- Medium
- Aluminum foil and aluminum takeout containers
- Dimensions
- Spotted At
- Public Space
Notes
Sculpture is installed in an outdoor plaza or terrace setting with white tiled walls and a patterned stone floor visible in the background. The work appears to be a large-scale public or museum installation. The figure and all containers appear to be rendered in the same silvery aluminum material, creating a unified monochromatic effect.
Spotted works by Tom Friedman
Artists in conversation
Jeff Koons
American · b. 1955
Koons similarly uses highly polished stainless steel to transform everyday consumer objects into monumental reflective sculptures, directly paralleling Friedman's interest in consumerism and the uncanny enlargement of familiar items.
Subodh Gupta
Indian · b. 1964
Gupta creates large scale polished stainless steel sculptures featuring everyday consumer objects and food related items, sharing Friedman's focus on consumerism, social commentary, and the transformation of mundane things into monumental public art.
Sylvie Fleury
Swiss · b. 1961
Fleury consistently critiques consumer culture by elevating commercial and throwaway objects into polished sculptural form, echoing the same conceptual territory Friedman explores in Takeaway through reflective materials and social commentary on contemporary consumption.
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