“Balaenoptera musculus” is a monumental work by Tom Sachs that portrays a blue whale in its life-size dimensions. He drew inspiration from the re- production of a blue whale that can be seen in the hall of aquatic life at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. The figure is nearly identical; what differs is the external representa- tion of the whale, which is not re- alistic but crafted from foam core, cardboard, and white polyurethane foam – a material commonly used for architectural models. It took more than four months to complete the entire structure and cover it with foam core sheets laminated with hot sil- icone glue.
Blue Whale
Blue Whale
Tom Sachs
Tom Sachs, an artist known for his provocative sculptures, has influenced American culture by combining mass-market and wealth symbols. His art critiques consumerism, the chase for luxury, and societal aggression. Sachs often transforms everyday objects like police pistols into reassuring, ...
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