MICHAEL KAGAN: VICTORY LAP

Almine Rech Monaco is pleased to present Victory Lap by Michael Kagan. Michael Kagan through his work is paying homage to the ultimate heroes of our time.
Astronauts..

May 22 - June 22, 2024

The subjects of his spectacular paintings and sculptures are superhumans who brave all obstacles and fears in their obsessive and passionate pursuit of records, speed, excellence, and victory. In doing so they put their own lives on a razor’s edge and galvanize millions of motorsport fans lovers around the globe.

Monaco is the ultimate setting and the most prestigious venue in the history of Formula 1. There could not be a more appropriate setting and time to present, for the first time, this unique body of new works by Michael Kagan.

It is surprising that, apart from the Italian Futurists who celebrated the automobile in their work in the early 20th century, hardly any artists of any caliber have focused on this fascinating world. In the more recent past, the German photographer Andreas Gursky is one of the few exceptions.

I had the privilege of selling a gorgeous astronaut sculpture by Michael Kagan at an amfAR gala auction during the Cannes Film Festival in 2021. It took off like the rockets that take astronauts into space and after heated competition between several collectors, sold for a record price and raised badly needed funds for the AIDS charity.

The group of works exhibited here will enter many distinguished collections around the world, and thanks to Michael Kagan, will remain a unique artistic and timeless tribute to our human pursuit of constantly pushing our limits and surpassing ourselves.