Considered to be one of the most influential artists today, Paul Pfeiffer (b. 1966, Honolulu, lives and works in New York) develops a multidisciplinary practice which includes video, photography, sculpture, and installation. With a selection of over thirty works spanning his entire career, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao presents the artist’s largest survey exhibition in Europe.
Pfeiffer's artistic practice is distinguished by a profound inquiry into the nature of spectacle, identity, and the intricate mechanisms of image-making within contemporary culture. At the core of his work lies the manipulation of footage from sporting events, music concerts, and films, which he edits with skill using early digital software.
His creations often reflect the dualities of veneration and objectification, particularly concerning global icons such as athletes and pop stars. This emphasis highlights the multifaceted roles these figures play within mass culture, drawing attention to the artificiality of media representations and prompting audiences to critically examine their own positions as consumers of such imagery.
