Daniel Arsham

What project are you working on now?

I am working on a large-scale installation project at Storefront for Art and Architecture with OHWOW. I'm planning to fill the space with a solid block of foam and then excavate a cavern out of it with picks and hammers. I'm estimating that it will take about one month to remove enough material to move around in. (I have an ant farm in the studio and I'm learning a lot from that, and from the ants.) The piece will have a closing reception on April 23.

What is it that especially attracts you, as an artist, to architecture? 

The most important and lasting things that we can make as humans are architecture and babies.

What is your favorite building in the world?

 The Maison de Verre by Pierre Chareau in Paris

What's the last show that you saw?

 Tara Donovan at Pace

What's the last show that surprised you?

 "The Clock" by Christian Marclay

Why?

 I went to see it last month and ended up watching for four hours. That kind of simplicity is one of the hardest things to do well.

What's your favorite place to see art? Dia Beacon

What's the most indispensable item in your studio? 

My rabbit, Oliver

Where are you finding ideas for your work these days?

 I've been traveling very frequently and my iPhone currently has 1,678 images. Many of them have become part of my work.

Do you collect anything? 

I collect hats.

What's the last artwork you purchased?

 An amazing photo by Daniel Newman that combines Elvis with Bela Lugosi.

What's your favorite post-gallery watering hole or restaurant? 

Malaparte in the West Village

Do you have a gallery/museum-going routine? 

I start at David Zwirner and end at Sean Kelly.

What's the last great book you read?

 "Girl in Landscape" by Jonathan Lethem

What work of art do you wish you owned? 

Gordon Matta-Clark's "Office Baroque" — I want the building.

What would you do to get it? 

Time travel

What under-appreciated artist, gallery, or work do you think people should know about?

Daniel Newman

Who's your favorite living artist? 

John Baldessari

What are your hobbies? 

In the summer on Sundays I go with a remote-control sailboat to the pond in Central Park.

via Artinfo