Future Relic - by Daniel Arsham (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

From the one of the world's most sought-after visual artists of his generation, at once a candid memoir and a master class in managing a creative career.

"I make most of the things I make for the simple reason that I wish they existed. It's the same with this book. As I look back at all of my experiences, the ups-and-downs of my career, my triumphs and my failures, the dreams that came true and those that haven't (yet), what I've seen and felt and learned, who I've met and worked with and how they've influenced me, I believe with absolute certainty that this type of resource, this type of book, from a working artist is something I could've used and that would have helped me." - Daniel Arsham

Daniel Arsham pulls back the curtain on the setbacks, late-night grinds, and breakthroughs that fueled his rise from Miami art student to one of the most sought-after creative minds in the world.

Equal parts inspiring story and tactical how-to, this book delivers:

An artist's origin story--from building a cardboard mock-gallery in his studio to land his first Paris solo show, to creating erosion-inspired installations at MoMA PS1. Business skills nobody teaches in art school . Learn how to: get a gallery, scale a studio team, manage finances and legal structures, and negotiate brand partnerships and licensing deals. Behind-the-scenes insight on projects with Dior Men's, Tiffany & Co., Adidas, Uniqlo × Pokémon, Porsche, and even serving as Creative Director for the Cleveland Cavaliers. A blueprint for turning setbacks into springboards. Discover Arsham's frameworks for reframing rejection, navigating "impossible" assignments, and using failure as your greatest ally.

Whether you're an emerging artist, a creative entrepreneur, or simply someone hungry for an inspiring "how-it-really-happened" story, The Dream is your companion for mastering the art-world "game"--and making your own dreams come true.

About the Author

Daniel Arsham is a New York-based artist whose work blends sculpture, architecture, performance, and design into a singular vision shaped by time, memory, and material experimentation. Raised in Miami and trained at Cooper Union, Arsham's early career was defined by a relentless curiosity and a refusal to be boxed into a single medium. His now-iconic "eroded" aesthetic--artifacts rendered as if excavated from the future--has become a signature visual language that speaks to impermanence, nostalgia, and transformation.

Over the past two decades, Arsham has built one of the most unconventional careers in contemporary art. He has exhibited at institutions including the Pérez Art Museum Miami, MOCO Museum, UCCA Dune, and the High Museum of Art, while also forging groundbreaking collaborations with Dior's Kim Jones, Porsche, Tiffany & Co., and even Pokémon. His work is held in the collections of many of the world's most important museums such as the Pompidou in Paris and the MOCA. As co-founder of the design firm Snarkitecture and the first-ever creative director of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Arsham has continually bridged the worlds of art, fashion, sports, and commerce in ways few artists ever have.

Beyond exhibitions and collaborations, Arsham's practice reflects a broader cultural project--one that reimagines how art lives in the world. Whether casting future relics in crystal and volcanic ash, designing immersive environments, or crafting objects that blur the line between sculpture and product, his work invites audiences to rethink the boundaries between art, design, and lived experience.