Tom Sachs, Too Darn Hot

The limited edition silkscreen print Too Darn Hot by Tom Sachs, released to benefit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), represents a pivotal moment in Sachs’ oeuvre, blending his exploration of authenticity across time. LACMA’s acquisition of the Too Darn Hot ‘frankenrocket’ from Sachs’ innovative Rocket Factory project highlights the museum’s commitment to the nexus of art and technology, with 40% of the print’s proceeds supporting this visionary stance.

This screen print features unique authenticity mechanisms designed by Tom Sachs, including a debossed design chronicling the 2021 launch of the actual “Too Darn Hot” rocket at LACMA. The print’s center hosts a rubber-stamped number, while a UV ink QR code links it to the original Too Darn Hot NFT metadata on the blockchain. The reverse side carries a tamper-proof holographic sticker and a QR code sticker, connecting to a blockchain token – an NFT that serves as the print’s digital certificate of authenticity. Additionally, the print is accompanied by a physical certificate of authenticity, also linked to this NFT.

Tom Sachs, an American contemporary artist born in 1966 in New York City, is renowned for his elaborate, handcrafted sculptures and installations that reflect his fascination with modern consumer culture, space exploration, and technology. Sachs’ work is distinguished by a unique, DIY aesthetic that challenges the boundary between high art and commercialism, often using everyday materials like plywood, foam core, and resin. Sachs’ journey into the art world began after he graduated from Bennington College in Vermont. His early career saw him working in Frank Gehry’s furniture shop, which influenced his appreciation for craftsmanship and the use of unconventional materials. This experience paved the way for his distinct artistic style, which often features bricolage – a method of construction using whatever materials are at hand. Sachs’ approach is meticulous and labor-intensive, focusing on the process as much as the finished product. A critical aspect of Sachs’ work is his engagement with popular culture and consumerism. He often recreates or appropriates icons of modernity and luxury brands, such as his infamous Chanel Guillotine and Prada Deathcamp. These works are not just sculptures but commentaries on the relationship between consumerism, branding, and the art world. Sachs is also noted for his limited editions, which have become highly sought after by collectors. These prints and multiples often explore themes similar to his larger installations but are produced in smaller, more accessible formats. For instance, his “Space Program,” in which he recreated various components of space missions in painstaking detail, has been translated into smaller sculptures and prints. These limited edition artworks encapsulate Tom Sachs‘ ability to blend fine art with popular culture, making his work both critically acclaimed and broadly appealing